Story by Tafara Chikumira

Nine people have died, while 31 others were injured in a road traffic accident involving two commuter omnibuses along the Harare-Masvingo highway in Mvuma this morning.

The nine were going to Easter gatherings when their vehicles collided head on and burst into flames.

According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the accident happened at around 6am and the vehicles involved were a Toyota Caravan omnibus with 18 occupants and a mini bus with 22 occupants.

ZRP spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said, “The bodies of the nine victims were taken to Mvuma Hospital mortuary for post-mortem, while 20 injured passengers are admitted at the same hospital. The other 11 injured passengers are admitted at Gweru Hospital.”

Eyewitness said one of the commuter omnibuses had church goers belonging to the African Apostolic Church led by Arch-Bishop Paul Mwazha, while the other was carrying members of the Zion Christian Church who were on their way to attend church services during the Easter holidays.