KEY POINTS
- Reckless driving allegedly caused the Masvingo-Beitbridge highway crash.
- The government suspended Urban Connect’s operating license for six months.
- Two victims remain unidentified, and police are seeking their families.
According to authorities, the number of fatalities following an accident between an Urban Connect bus and a haulage truck on the Masvingo-Beitbridge route has increased to 28.
Tragic accident claims 28 lives on Masvingo-Beitbridge highway
Seven more individuals died when they arrived at Beitbridge Hospital after the disaster, which initially claimed 17 lives at the scene. Later, while undergoing treatment, four more people passed away from their wounds.
Two weeks ago, a truck carrying magnesium to Chirundu collided with an Urban Connect bus headed for Beitbridge near the Lutumba tollgate.
Two of the victims are still unidentified, according to a statement released by the Zimbabwe Republic Police on Monday.
“Reference is made to the ZRP press statement released on Feb. 21, 2024, regarding a fatal road traffic accident that occurred on Feb. 13, 2024, at the 262-kilometer peg along the Masvingo-Beitbridge Road near Lutumba,” the statement said.
“There are now 28 people dead. According to witnesses, the Urban Connect driver was speeding, which is what caused the crash.
Government suspends Urban Connect’s license over multiple violations
Due to a number of infractions, including the absence of a current passenger insurance policy and route permission, the government last week suspended Urban Connect Holdings Pvt Ltd’s operating license for a period of six months. Additionally, authorities said that the driver had not complied with the necessary re-test guidelines.
“Two victims, a man and a woman, are yet to be identified,” police stated.
