Two killed, 25 injured in road accidents

One of the two died after being hit by a commuter omnibus heading for the city centre as he waved it down so he could board.

Police confirmed the two accidents.

The first one occurred at the intersection of Siyephambili Drive and Goderich Avenue in Bellevue and the other along Bulawayo-Harare highway, opposite HQ One Brigade.

The Bellevue accident occurred at about 8.10am, when a commuter omnibus carrying vendors from the market in the city centre and heading for Munyoro Business Centre in Nkulumane 10, rammed into a South African registered Isuzu vehicle.

The second accident occurred at about 11.30 am when a commuter omnibus coming from Mahatshula towards the city centre hit a-would-be passenger before ramming onto tree.

The injured were taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals where they are admitted.

The bodies of the dead were taken to the same hospital’s mortuary.

Witnesses in both accidents said the drivers of the commuter omnibuses were speeding.

The woman who died in Bellevue was identified as Ms Brenda Tshabalala (22) from Nkulumane 10.

The South African registered vehicle had reportedly failed to give way while approaching Siyephambili Drive from Goderich Avenue resulting in it getting onto the lane of the oncoming commuter omnibus.

A Bellevue resident, Mr Nicholas Mthombeni who witnessed the accident said the commuter omnibus driver failed  to apply breaks.

“I heard a huge sound and thought it was a tyre burst. When I arrived here, the driver of the kombi was stuck and had to be pulled out. He sustained injuries on the head and leg. That woman tried to jump out through the window but was caught between the two vehicles. She was hanging from the door and had difficulties in breathing. We saw her dying and no one was brave enough to pull her out,” said Mr Mthombeni.

A Mr Bhebhe, said Ms Tshabalala was his daughter-in-law and she had left home in the morning to get goods for resale.

The witnesses of the accident along Harare Road said the commuter omnibus driver failed to stop to pick a passenger but hit him, before hitting a tree.

“I actually saw the kombi coming and the driver wanted to stop to pick a man who was standing by the side of the road but the kombi hit him and all of a sudden there was a loud noise as the kombi rammed into a tree.

“The conductor and one woman were thrown out as the vehicle overturned. Some of the passengers sprang out and ran in different directions as the kombi finally stopped,” said a witness, Mr Munyaradzi Ndlovu.

Witnesses said the driver told them that he lost control of the commuter omnibus after it broke a ball joint.

Related Posts

Zimbabwe scoops top honour at Zambia Travel Expo

Nqobile Bhebhe, [email protected] Zimbabwe has clinched First Runner-Up spot in the Best International Stand category at the ongoing Zambia Travel Expo (ZATEX) 2026, a significant achievement that underscores the country’s…

Ziyah Media earns ZNCC CSR accolade, eyes national U20 tournament

Sikhulekelani Moyo [email protected] ZIYAH Media director Mr Loadwell Ziyadumah says the company’s recognition at the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Matabeleland Annual Business Awards will inspire it to expand…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

×
×