Beitbridge-Masvingo highway bus accident death toll rises to 28, police fail to identify 4 bodies

The tragic aftermath of a road accident involving an Urban Connect bus and a haulage truck on the Masvingo-Beitbridge highway continues to unfold, with the death toll now standing at 28. Police have confirmed that four victims remain unidentified, adding another layer of sorrow to the already devastating incident.

The accident occurred two weeks ago, near the Lutumba tollgate, when the Beitbridge-bound Urban Connect bus collided with a truck transporting magnesium towards Chirundu. Seventeen people were killed on the spot, with a further seven succumbing to their injuries upon admission to Beitbridge Hospital. The death toll climbed further as four more individuals died while receiving treatment.

In a statement released on Monday, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the latest figures and highlighted the ongoing challenge of identifying all the victims. “Reference is made to the ZRP press statement released on 21 February 2024 on a fatal road traffic accident which occurred on 13 February 2024 at the 262-kilometre peg along Masvingo-Beitbridge Road, Lutumba,” the statement read. “The death toll has risen to 28. Two victims, a man and woman, are yet to be identified.”

This follows an earlier appeal last week, when the death toll stood at 26, where police indicated that two victims were yet to be identified. At that time, National Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi implored the public to assist in identifying the deceased.

Commissioner Nyathi said last week, “The Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing to the public to assist in identifying two remaining victims who died in the fatal road traffic accident. The first unidentified victim is a male adult who was wearing a red t-shirt and black trousers at the time of the accident. The second victim is a female adult who was wearing a black jersey and black trousers.”

With the number of unidentified bodies now increased to four, authorities are renewing their call for assistance. Anyone with information that could help identify the victims is urged to report to the nearest police station or contact the National Complaints Desk.

Initial reports suggest that reckless driving may have been a contributing factor in the collision. Witnesses at the scene allege that the driver of the Urban Connect bus was speeding, raising serious concerns about adherence to road safety regulations.

In the wake of the accident, the government has taken decisive action against Urban Connect Holdings Pvt Ltd, suspending their operating licence for a period of six months. The suspension comes as a result of multiple violations of transport regulations, including the bus operating without a valid passenger insurance policy or route permit, and the driver failing to meet the mandatory re-test requirement.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona, announced the suspension, emphasising the severity of the breaches. “The bus registration number AGL2474 belonging to this company did not have a valid Passenger Insurance Policy as prescribed under Section 38(b) (1) of the Road Traffic Act [Chapter 13:11],” Minister Mhona stated. “In addition, the vehicle did not have a valid Route Permit as prescribed in Section 12 of the Road Motor Transportation Act [Chapter 13:15].”

The absence of a valid Passenger Insurance Policy is particularly concerning, as it leaves victims and their families without the necessary financial support to cope with injuries or loss of life. This policy is designed to provide compensation in the event of accidents, offering a crucial safety net for passengers.

Further investigations have revealed that the driver of the bus had not undergone the mandatory retesting stipulated in Section 5 of Statutory Instrument 168 of 2006. This retesting is a critical component of ensuring driver competence and up-to-date knowledge of road safety regulations, raising serious questions about the driver’s qualifications and fitness to operate a public service vehicle.

“The above violations by the bus operator are a serious breach of the terms and conditions of the operator’s licence issued to the company for it to operate in Zimbabwe,” Minister Mhona emphasised.

As a direct consequence of these violations, the Ministry has invoked Section 17(b) (i) of the Road Motor Transportation Act [Chapter 13:15], suspending Urban Connect’s operations on all routes for six months, pending further investigations. This suspension is intended to allow for a thorough review of the company’s safety practices and compliance with regulations. The investigation is expected to determine the full extent of the company’s negligence and whether further penalties are warranted.

Follow @MyZimbabweNews