Mazowe, Mashonaland Central province | A road traffic accident near Mazowe Dam on Tuesday afternoon claimed the lives of five people. The accident occurred when a commuter minibus, commonly known as a kombi, collided with a haulage truck.
The kombi was reportedly travelling from Mvurwi to Harare, while the truck was heading towards Mazowe. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) promptly attended the scene, but an official statement on the incident is yet to be released.
When contacted for comment, Mashonaland Police Spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe confirmed the accident. However, he stated that the details of what transpired are still unclear as investigations are ongoing.
An eyewitness who spoke to ZiMetro News detailed what transpired leading to the collision, which claimed five lives and left many injured. The eyewitness said, “The kombi driver was overtaking another vehicle on the curve, which is also a blind spot with double lines. When he realized that a truck was approaching, it was too late.”
Another eyewitness said this was her first experience witnessing something so devastating and that she will probably be scared to use kombis again.
This tragic accident comes just days after another incident on Sunday evening, where a Pashonlink bus caught fire at the 26-kilometre mark along the Nyabadza-Gandanza Road. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported in that incident, though it highlighted the persistent issue of road safety in Zimbabwe.
The news of the latest accident has sparked an outpouring of grief and concern from Zimbabweans. Social media platforms and community forums have been flooded with messages of condolence and calls for more robust systems to address the pressing issue of road accidents in the country.
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Residents and safety advocates are urging the government and relevant authorities to implement stricter traffic regulations and improve road conditions. There is a growing consensus that immediate and effective measures are essential to prevent such tragedies in the future.
As the investigation into the Mazowe Dam accident continues, the families of the victims and the nation at large await answers and hope for reforms that will enhance road safety and save lives.
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