Story by Mhlomuli Ncube
GOVERNMENT has intensified efforts to mobilise and coordinate support for families affected by the fatal road traffic accident in Esigodini along the Bulawayo–Beitbridge highway, following the declaration of the incident as a state of disaster by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The accident, which claimed 16 lives on Thursday, has triggered a coordinated inter-ministerial response, with Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honourable Felix Mhona, visiting the scene on Friday.
“We have deployed all necessary teams on the ground to support victims and their families, while at the same time accelerating our road safety interventions. This unfortunate incident reinforces the need for collective responsibility from all road users,” he said.
Government is focusing on both immediate relief and long-term measures to curb road accidents, including the proposed Road Accident Fund Bill currently before Parliament.
“The Road Accident Fund will be a critical safety net that bridges the gap between tragedy and recovery. We are pushing for this Bill to be enacted so that every Zimbabwean, regardless of their financial status, has access to immediate medical care and funeral support. It is about ensuring our people are not left vulnerable in times of crisis, providing a systematic response rather than relying solely on ad-hoc disaster declarations. The Road Accident Fund will be a critical safety net, ensuring that victims and their families are not left vulnerable in times of crisis,” Minister Mhona said.
Preliminary investigations indicate the accident occurred when a Toyota Quantum carrying explosive material exploded, killing all passengers on board.
Authorities said the vehicle belonged to Best Care Funeral Services.
In a statement, the government noted that some bodies were burnt beyond recognition, necessitating DNA testing for identification.
Meanwhile, authorities have warned against the circulation of graphic images of the accident on social media, saying such content undermines the dignity of victims, fuels misinformation and may attract legal consequences.
