Limpopo – Scores of Zimbabweans travelling to South Africa were fortunate to escape unscathed after the cross-border bus they were travelling in was involved in a pile-up accident on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred approximately 11 kilometres from Makhado town, along the N1 Highway in Limpopo Province.
The collision involved the Zimbabwean-bound bus, a truck, and a light motor vehicle. According to Mr. Matome Taueatsoala, spokesperson for the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety, the bus driver sustained serious injuries in the crash and was promptly transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
“We are confirming that the Exo bus travelling from Zimbabwe to Gauteng was involved in the accident near Makhado and only the bus driver who was injured was taken to hospital,” Mr. Taueatsoala stated.
In a stroke of good fortune, the remaining passengers on board the bus emerged from the wreckage without any injuries. “The rest of the passengers escaped unhurt and they have found alternative transport to Gauteng,” Mr. Taueatsoala confirmed.
The accident occurred at the Witvlag turn-off on the N1 North, involving a tanker, the cross-border bus, and a hatchback vehicle. Authorities temporarily closed the road following the crash, causing significant traffic congestion in the area.
Mr. Taueatsoala urged motorists to exercise extreme caution due to the prevailing misty and rainy conditions. “Switch on headlights, reduce speed and drive with extreme caution due to misty and rainy conditions in the area,” he advised.
Travellers planning to journey between Louis Trichardt and Musina were advised to consider postponing their trips due to the severe traffic congestion affecting both northbound and southbound lanes.
An alternative route was suggested for those already en route. Mr. Taueatsoala explained, “Those travelling from Musina [are advised to] turn right onto the R523 until Siloam, then turn right to the N1 Witvlag.” He added, “Those travelling from Makhado towards Musina should turn right to Witvlag until the side junction R523, turn left until N1 Willispoort. We’ll provide more updates as we get them.”
This incident comes on the heels of another tragic accident involving a Zimbabwean cross-border bus just a few weeks prior. In that devastating event, a bus plunged into a cliff outside Makhado, resulting in the deaths of 44 people, including 36 Zimbabweans and eight Malawians.
In the previous accident, a total of 49 passengers sustained injuries, with some remaining hospitalised across Limpopo Province. Investigations into that crash revealed that the bus, travelling from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape to Harare, was overloaded, carrying 91 passengers despite its seating capacity of only 62. The circumstances surrounding the latest pile-up are still under investigation.
Follow @MyZimbabweNews
