HARARE – At least 13 people were confirmed dead on Friday night after two fatal road traffic accidents which occurred in Masvingo and Gokwe.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms two fatal road traffic accidents which occurred this evening in Masvingo and Gokwe where a total of 13 people have died,” police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said in a statement on Friday.
The Masvingo accident occurred at around 4.30 pm.
Nyathi said “a Chikozho bus which was travelling from Masvingo to Topora along the Masvingo-Zano Road with 105 passengers on board (75 seated and 30 standing) went out of the road while negotiating a steep gradient”.
“The bus then hit a dwala and overturned,” said the police spokesperson.
In the accident, seven people died while 99 were injured.
Of the injured, 65 were treated and discharged for minor injuries at Topora Clinic while 33 who sustained serious injuries were taken to Morgenster Hospital and Masvingo General Hospital for medical attention.
The owner of the bus company, Alphabet Takawira Chikozho reportedly took his own life by shooting himself in the mouth late July this year.
Added Nyathi, “In the Gokwe accident which occurred at around 6pm this evening, a Nissan Sulphy hit a pothole at the four-kilometre peg along Gokwe-Siabuwa Road and in the process had a head on collision with a Nissan AD Van vehicle with nine occupants.
“Six people died, three from each vehicle. Eight people were injured, three critically and five sustained moderate injuries.”
The injured were taken to Gokwe General Hospital for treatment.
