Online Reporter
Latwell Nyangu
THE horror bus accident, which claimed the lives of 24 passengers, including a married couple, has been declared a national disaster by President Mnangagwa.
An Urban Connect bus, which was trying to overtake a car, crashed into a head-on collision with a haulage truck yesterday morning.
The accident occured at the 262-kilometre peg along the Masvingo-Beitbridge Road near Lutumba Toll Gate, at around about 8am.
In a statement, President Mnangagwa expressed his condolences to the bereaved families.
“The death of 24 Zimbabweans in a head-on collision between an Urban Connect bus and a commercial haulage truck, along the Beitbridge-Masvingo Highway this morning, left me horrified and heart-broken.
“Fellow Zimbabweans, our nation does not deserve this at all, let alone experiencing such a bloody incident at the beginning of the year.
“We have to do all that is possible to curb this unjustified loss of life.
“I therefore appeal to all motorists to exercise extreme caution on our roads, for the sake of both fellow road users and themselves.
“All arms of the Government that are responsible for ensuring safety on our roads are thus constantly reminded to work around the clock and evoke all legal means and powers available to them, to reduce and subsequently put an end to such carnage.
“Government has, therefore, declared this incident a national disaster and will accord victims of this horrendous crash State-assisted burial.
“As I express my deepest, heartfelt condolences to families and relatives who have lost their loved ones in this horrific crash, I also heartly and prayerfully reach out to all those injured and hospitalised, wishing them speedy recovery.”
A couple, Petronella Dembetembe Murungweni and Abel Rumbwere, who had been traveling together from Harare to their home in Beitbridge, died in the accident.
The couple leaves behind a nine-year-old daughter. Petronella’s brother, Maxim, said:
“She was the last born in our family and they left a daughter who is about nine years old.
“It’s unfortunate they have died among others who died on the spot.
“Both will be mourned in Beitbridge in Dulibadzimu Township.
“Burial is most likely to be there as well and, if nothing changes, they will be buried side by side at Makakavhule cemetery,” he said.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said:
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms a fatal road traffic which occurred at the 262-kilometre peg along the Masvingo-Beitbridge Road near Lutumba Toll Gate on 13th February 2025, at around 0800 hours.
“Twenty four people were killed when an Urban Connect bus, carrying 65 passengers, was involved in a head-on collision with an Auro Transport haulage truck, with four occupants on board.
“The accident occurred as the bus was trying to overtake another vehicle. “The bus was travelling from Harare to Beitbridge while the truck was travelling in the opposite direction.
“The number of the injured people is yet to be established.
“The bodies of the victims were taken to Beitbridge District Hospital mortuary for post-mortem while the injured are admitted at the same hospital.”
