KWEKWE – There was a sombre atmosphere at the Kwekwe Doves parlour in the Central Business District as hundreds of people came to bid farewell to the 12 people who perished when their vehicle was involved in an accident with a fuel tanker near Sebakwe River bridge at the 200 km peg along the Harare-Bulawayo road early Tuesday morning
President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday declared the horrific accident a national disaster paving the way for full government intervention in the aftermath of the tragedy.
A fuel tanker with two trailers first sideswiped a two-ton truck before colliding head-on with a Nissan AD van carrying 12 passengers, dragging it for several metres before overturning and landing on top of it, trapping all occupants.
The fatal accident claimed the lives of Reward Nyatsongo, Farai Besenti, Beauty Muberekwi, Saturday Moramasa, Joshua Muza, Maria Jasi, Manuel Magomana, James Ncube, Emmely Fuchewuke, Violet Juja, Marius Mapanzure, and Henry Mutambara.
The Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, who was the Chief mourner at the send-off service, expressed his heartfelt condolences to the deceased families and thanked President Mnangagwa for granting the 12 victims State assisted burials.
“Let us travel safely as we go to lay our beloved ones to rest,” he said.
Relatives of the accident victims thanked the government for its support.
“It is very sad that my sister died this way. Indeed. We have been robbed of a pillar of strength in the family. Most importantly, I would like to thank the government for granting a State assisted burial for our sister and the other victims,” said a relative to one of the deceased said.
Another Kwekwe resident, Samuel Phiri said: “I don’t have any relative who died in the accident, but I am here to also console the families of the deceased. This was a sad tragedy which came as shock to us all. May the souls of the departed 12 rest in eternal peace.”
Others urged motorists to adhere to road rules and exercise extreme caution to avoid the unnecessary loss of lives.
In a statement, the President Mnangagwa expressed profound sorrow over the loss.
“I learnt with a very heavy heart of the horrific traffic collision yesterday in Midlands which claimed twelve innocent lives.
“The deadly incident adds yet another grim statistic to the needless toll which reckless driving levies on our people and our Nation,” he said.
The President said the government is making frantic efforts to improve road safety, particularly through enhanced technology.
He extended his condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
Kwekwe mayor Councillor Albert Zinhanga said it was dark day for Kwekwe.
“The accident scene is not something we can talk about. It is unfortunate the roads are claiming the lives of our people. We are mourning, it is a dark day for Kwekwe.
“I want to pass my condolences to the family of the deceased, it is painful to lose loved ones through accidents,” he said.
New Ziana
