Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
A sombre atmosphere engulfed Masvingo this Monday during a send-off ceremony for four of the eight victims of a road traffic accident which occurred along the Masvingo-Mutare highway on Saturday.
The victims, who perished when a Dragon bus from Beitbridge en route Mutare sideswiped with a truck full of timber, were granted state-assisted funerals.
Families of four of the victims gathered in Masvingo to collect the bodies for burial at their rural homes.
They thanked the government for the support, calling for stiffer penalties against errand drivers.
“Today is a sad day for us as a family as we collect the body of our sister for burial. She was a cross-border trader, hence a breadwinner and has left her children as orphans. However, we are consoled by the support we have received from the government in the form of coffins, food and transport,” a family representative said.
“As a family, we are so saddened by the loss of our relative. The circumstances are so disturbing for the whole family. We want to thank President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his administration for the assistance. It was going to be difficult for us to cater for all the expenses associated, however, they have made it easier for us,” another family representative stated.
Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Ezra Chadzamira, consoled the bereaved families, assuring them of government support.
“As the government, we are saddened by the continuous loss of life on our roads. On Saturday, eight families lost their loved ones, most of them were breadwinners coming from South Africa. We continue to urge our drivers to be very cautious on the roads. We thank our President for granting these victims assistance.”
According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the accident occurred when the bus driver tried to overtake a timber-laden truck.
The bus then swerved back to its lane after the driver realised there was an oncoming vehicle, which resulted in the sideswipe that saw timber piercing through the bus.
