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Moffat Mungazi
Post Reporter
A sombre atmosphere engulfed the Mugombe area in Buhera District after six people perished in a road traffic accident when two trucks collided head-on along the Mugombe-Betera Road last week on Saturday.
Two people died on the spot, while a third died person died on the way to Murambinda Mission Hospital.
Three more people succumbed to the injuries sustained in the crash after being admitted at the hospital.
Police identified the deceased as Denford Mugombe (53), Veronica Mugombe (65), Forward Madindi (38), Witness Kashaya (48), Netsai Mukuturi (45) and Tinotenda Madzongera (22).
The deceased were buried in Mugombe Village on Tuesday.
In an interview, Buhera Medical District Officer, Dr Shelton Kwiri said 31 people were admitted at Murambinda Mission Hospital.
Twenty were treated and discharged, while four are still admitted at the health institution.
Seven were transferred to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare.
Witnesses said the two trucks — a Nissan Diesel UD and Nissan Atlas — collided head-on at a curve at Makusha along Mugombe-Betera Road.
The Nissan Diesel UD truck had no passengers on board, while those who were in the Nissan Atlas — numbering about 40 — were thrown out of the truck’s cargo bed upon impact from the collision of the vehicles.
Both drivers survived the crash and are admitted in hospital.
Disaster strikes
One of the first people to arrive at the scene shortly after the accident, Mr Stanford Machemedze (50), said the sight of the accident scene was horrifying.
“We dashed to the scene after someone among the passengers phoned and broke the news that they had been involved in an accident with another truck.
“When we got there, people were strewn all over the place as they had been thrown out of the vehicle’s loading box. Others were still trapped in the wreckage, especially the front seat passengers, and we had to break the cabin to try and extricate them. We called for more assistance and soon other cars arrived to ferry the injured to Murambinda Mission Hospital.
“There were about 40 passengers in the smaller truck (Nissan Atlas), while the bigger lorry had none on board. The accident occurred on a curve and there is suspicion that the vehicles were speeding because the impact was just huge if the injuries that people sustained and the damaged to the smaller truck is anything to go by,” said Mr Machemedze.
He said the people involved in the accident were Zanu PF supporters who were being ferried to a polling station for the ruling party’s primary elections.
“Before the delimitation exercise, we used to vote in Ward 18 of Buhera West at Mugombe Primary School, but we were moved to Ward 20 in Buhera Central. The change meant that Betera Secondary School became our new polling station, which is about 25km away.
“We gathered at Mugombe Primary School in the morning awaiting transportation to Betera Secondary School. There were slightly over 100 people. Around 10am, the truck (Nissan Atlas) carried the first batch of people and I was among them. The truck went for the second trip and I started communicating with Mr Denford Mugombe (who died on the spot) as they were on their way to where we were,” he explained.
Mr Machemedze said after a few minutes, the deceased’s wife called sounding panicky and distressed.
He added: “From her voice, I could tell something was wrong and at that moment she raised alarm of the accident. I immediately called Cde Matema who was in Murwira at that moment. He came over and we dashed to the scene together. Two people were killed on the spot, while another one died on the way to Murambinda Mission Hospital. Other injured people were also rushed to Murambinda Mission Hospital.”
Sorry sight
Mr Machemedze said although the elections proceeded, the spirit of the majority of people was dampened following the accident.
He added that most people from Mugombe area could not cast their ballots as they were battling to come to terms with the loss of their kith and kin.
He said the community was deeply saddened by the accident.
A survivor in the accident, Mrs Chanzini Mugombe (53) said she was travelling in the same truck with her late husband, Mr Denford Mugombe; daughter, Ms Vongai Mugombe (22) and her brother’s son, Forward Madindi (deceased).
Vongai, who sustained chest injuries in the accident, was treated and discharged at Murambinda Mission Hospital.
Mrs Mugombe survived the accident with minor bruises.
Recounting the dreadful experience, she said: “I do not recall what really transpired. I only found myself thrown out of the vehicle. I promptly started looking for my daughter. I saw her writhing in agony on the ground and went over to cuddle her in my arms. Several other people were injured and bleeding from the mouth, nose and ears; it was just terrible.”
Acting out of instinct, Mrs Mugombe added, she searched for her husband and nephew.
Both men were front seat passengers.
Mrs Mugombe first located Madindi. She felt his pulse and realised that he had passed on.
She moved over to her husband, who had been trapped in the wreckage with his eyes popping out and mouth agape.
He was bleeding profusely.
“I asked my husband’s brother to help me extricate him as another injured man was leaning against Denford. My brother-in-law could barely help as his arm and leg were also injured,” she said, adding: “We managed to pull him out and laid him by the roadside before calling for assistance.”
Sadly, Mr Mugombe could not make it.
Deep loss
Ms Chipo Madzongera (41) lost her eldest son, Tinotenda Madzongera (22) in the crash.
Struggling to hold her tears back, Ms Madzongera said Tinotenda’s untimely death left a deep and painful wound in her heart that will take eternity to heal.
“I am gutted and have no words to describe this loss of my son. It deeply hurts. The eldest of my four children is gone and I do not know how I will heal,” said a tearful Ms Madzongera.
She was virtually an emotional wreck as she attempted to process the demise of her son.
Ms Madzongera said she did not receive any assistance towards the funeral of her son, but ensured that Tinotenda got a decent burial.
For Mr Lyton Kashaya, receiving the tragic news of the death of Ms Netsai Mukuturi (45) and Mr Witness Kashaya (48) was such a double blow that left him perplexed and in a state of utter shock.
Ms Mukutiri was Mr Kashaya’s wife, while Witness was his cousin.
“I am shattered. I have suffered two losses at once in one incident. My wife and cousin died in that accident and it is very difficult to accept it at the moment.
“The death of their mother has particularly disturbed our three children who are in Form Four, Grade Seven and Grade Three respectively,” said Mr Kashaya.
The driver of the Nissan Atlas truck, Mr Godfrey Mabhutsu (59), is admitted at Murambinda Mission Hospital.
His son, Mr Gladmore Mabhutsu said he is in a stable condition and they managed to talk about what transpired.
“From his explanation, it looks like the driver of the Nissan Diesel UD truck was speeding. He said upon reaching a curve at Makusha along the Mugombe-Betera Road, the other truck suddenly appeared in his lane. He said he swerved sideways, trying to avoid a head-on collision as the other driver was also doing the same. In the ensuing confusion, the accident happened,” said Gladmore.
He said his father sustained a deep cup on the forehead and was sutured.
Godfrey also sustained injuries on his left knee.
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