Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba /Freedom Mupanedemo, Midlands Bureau
A PALL of grief hung heavy over Kwekwe Doves Parlour on Thursday as hundreds gathered for the solemn repatriation of the 12 victims of the horrific Sebakwe River Bridge accident. Distraught family members, their sorrow profound, collected the coffins of their loved ones in a tearful farewell.
The tragedy, which occurred early on Tuesday morning, has left an unfathomable void in the lives of the victims’ families and friends.
President Mnangagwa’s declaration of the accident as a national disaster underscored the gravity of the incident, paving the way for a comprehensive Government response to support the bereaved families.
The horrific collision, involving a fuel tanker and a Nissan AD van, sent shockwaves through the nation, leaving many in mourning and others grappling with the tragic loss of life.
The fatal accident claimed the lives of Reward Nyatsongo, Farai Besenti, Beauty Muberekwi, Saturday Moramasa, Joshua Muza, Maria Jasi, Manuel Magomana, James Ncube, Emmely Fuchewuke, Violet Juja, Marius Mapanzure, and Henry Mutambara.
The Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, who was the chief mourner at the send-off service, expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and thanked President Mnangagwa for granting the 12 victims State-assisted burials.
“We are gathered here to send off our loved ones who perished in a road traffic accident that occurred on Tuesday morning. It is with a heavy heart that we gather here, because it won’t be easy for the families who lost their loved ones. Let us travel safely as we go to lay our beloved ones to rest,” he said.
Relatives of the accident victims expressed gratitude to the Government for its support.
“It is very sad that my sister died this way. We have been robbed of a pillar of strength in the family. Most importantly, I would like to thank the Government for granting a State-assisted burial for our sister and the other victims,” said a relative of one of the deceased.
Another Kwekwe resident, Samuel Phiri, said: “I don’t have any relative who died in the accident, but I am here to console the families of the deceased. This was a tragic event that shocked us all. May the souls of the departed 12 rest in eternal peace.”
Others urged motorists to adhere to road rules and exercise extreme caution to prevent further loss of life.
Kwekwe Mayor, Councillor Albert Zinhanga, described it as a dark day for the city.
“The accident scene is not something we can easily talk about. It is unfortunate that our roads are claiming the lives of our people. We are mourning — it is a dark day for Kwekwe. I want to pass my condolences to the families of the deceased. It is painful to lose loved ones through accidents,” he said.
Meanwhile, one of the survivors of the accident, Mike Chibike, recounted the terrifying moment he came face to face with death. He described how a seemingly out-of-control fuel tanker veered into his lane before sideswiping his vehicle and colliding with the van behind him, killing all 12 occupants.
Chibike, a former police officer, suspects the tanker driver was dozing at the wheel when the accident occurred. He believes it was only by God’s grace that he survived.
“It was on that steep ascent approaching the Sherwood turn when I saw the fuel tanker, pulling two trailers, coming into my lane head-on. My truck was loaded and I was ascending, unable to accelerate further. Still confused about what action to take, the tanker hit my side mirror, then came a huge bang and my car overturned, rolling as I screamed helplessly inside.
“By God’s grace, I came out with only some bruises, only to realise the tanker had also collided with a vehicle behind me, landing on its roof and killing all 12 occupants on the spot. It was horrific,” said Mr Chibike.
Chibike, who was discharged from Kwekwe District Hospital on Wednesday evening, said the tanker driver appeared to have been asleep at the wheel.
“From the way he encroached into my lane, the truck seemed abandoned by its driver. I could tell he was sleeping. I tried to hoot, but it was too late. I even tried to check on him in hospital, but I heard he was treated and discharged.
He was definitely dozing when the accident happened,” he said.
Chibike said that some eyewitnesses who visited him in hospital confirmed the driver had admitted to dozing off.
“You know Zimbabweans are so loving. One eyewitness came to the hospital yesterday just to check on me. He told me the tanker driver had been dozing all the way from Kadoma. It’s so unfortunate that instead of stopping to rest, he caused an accident that killed 12 people,” lamented Chibike.
