Story by Jerold Sasa
GOVERNMENT has declared the Chivhu bus accident which claimed 13 lives along the Murambinda – Chivhu road on Sunday a national disaster.
A government delegation led by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development; Honourable Felix Mhona was at the accident scene this Monday before visiting the injured at Chivhu hospital.
“The bus was speeding so we tried to warn the driver who also died in the accident to slow down, but he didn’t listen, said a survivor.
40 people were initially admitted at Chivhu hospital.
“We had 40 injured, but the number has since declined after we discharged those who had minor injuries,” noted Chivhu Hospital medical doctor, Dr Emelda Nyoka.
Government has since declared the accident a national disaster with a commitment to put in place measure to reduce road carnage.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Honourable Felix Mhona said, “We are going to come up with legislation to stop these drivers who are causing these accidents as some of them are not observing our road rules.”
Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Senator Aplonia Munzverengwi noted, “As a province this is a very sad day for us, but what is more worrying is that most of these accidents are as a result of human error which can be avoided if we take precaution.”
“As the ZRP we warn these speeding drivers to exercise caution when driving to avoid loss of human life,” said ZRP National Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
The deceased have all been identified and relatives have already started processing burial orders, with government providing assistance.
