Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa in CHIVHU
SEVEN survivors of the Friday evening head-on collision between a commuter omnibus and a haulage truck near Chivhu have been transferred to Chitungwiza General Hospital in critical condition.
The crash, which claimed 27 lives, occurred along the Harare-Masvingo Highway as congregants from the African Apostolic Church (Mwazha) were travelling from Dema to Mvuma for a church conference.
Preliminary investigations by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) point to an overtaking error as the primary cause of the disaster.
In an official statement released Saturday morning, ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the circumstances surrounding the collision.
“It is alleged that the foreign-registered truck was trying to overtake another vehicle when it collided head-on with the commuter omnibus,” Commissioner Nyathi said.
“The names of the victims will be released once they have been officially identified by their next of kin.”
Relatives have begun gathering at Chivhu General Hospital to identify the deceased and receive updates on the injured.
Unconfirmed reports indicate the commuter omnibus was overloaded, carrying as many as 33 passengers at the time of the crash.
Emmanuel Bonda, who lost his wife and three children in the accident, recalled his last conversation with his wife before she departed.
“She packed her clothes and the children’s things around noon, and by 2pm they were in the kombi,” Bonda said.
“She complained that the vehicle was already overloaded and even asked if I knew anyone else driving to the conference who could offer them a lift. I wished them a safe journey.”
Bonda said he became concerned later that evening when his wife failed to answer her phone, only to receive the tragic news shortly after from fellow church members already in Mvuma.
As of Saturday, relatives had identified 18 bodies at the mortuary.
However, DNA testing will be required to identify three additional victims whose remains were burnt beyond recognition.
Police investigations into the exact sequence of events remain ongoing.
