Harare, (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the death of 24 people when a bus and a haulage truck collided head-on near the Lutumba Toll Gate along the Masvingo-Beitbridge road on Thursday.
The accident ranks among the worst in the country with most attributed to speeding, reckless and drunken driving.
In a statement on X, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the accident occurred at the 262 km peg around 8 AM and involved an Urban Connect bus carrying 65 passengers and an Auro Transport haulage truck with four occupants on board.
The accident occurred as the bus, which was travelling towards Beitbridge from Harare while the haulage truck was going in the opposite direction, was trying to overtake another vehicle.
Seventeen people died on the spot while another seven succumbed to their injuries at the Beitbridge District Hospital with the bodies of the deceased being taken to the mortuary at the same hospital.
Comm Nyathi said the number of the injured people is yet to be established, adding the police are currently at the scene and more details will be released in due course.
New Ziana
