KWEKWE — Health and Child Welfare minister Henry Madzorera last weekend said the recent fatal road traffic accident that claimed 10 lives along the Gweru-Kwekwe Road could have been avoided if the police and the Ministry of Transport were pro-active.
“We want to send a strong message to the two ministries to ensure that our roads are safe. Zinara (Zimbabwe National Road Authority) should improve the road network while police should remove all unroadworthy vehicles from our roads,” Madzorera said.
The accident, which involved a Zupco bus and a stationary truck that had broken down near Connemara Prison, killed eight Mbizo residents on the spot among others.
The truck is reported to have been on the road for two days before the accident occurred. Madzorera said government should craft a policy that compels owners to tow away their vehicles from the roads soon after a breakdown.
Meanwhile, a sombre atmosphere engulfed Mbizo suburb when the families buried their loved ones. The residents said the incident had left in its wake a trail of shattered dreams.
Bothwell Chifamba of Mbizo 13 said he lost two children, Tinevimbo (9) and Tanyaradwa (5), while his wife Gracious Takarwisa and the third child, Nyasha, were battling for life at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo. The four were on their way to Buhera for the funeral of a close family member.
One-year-old Atidaishe Chauke of Mbizo 5 lost his mother Tabeth Mwerenga in the accident.
Another victim, Annie Muto (32), perished in the crash on her way to Gweru to collect her passport, leaving behind two minor children.
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Muto was a resident of Mbizo 10.
