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The Herald, 11 June 2002

THIRTY-SEVEN students from Masvingo Teachers’ College perished, while 70 others were injured, 32 of them seriously, when a hired Mhunga bus collided head-on with a haulage truck and caught fire on Sunday night along the Harare-Masvingo highway.

Of those killed, 20 were burnt beyond recognition. The accident occurred at around 11pm, 52km outside Masvingo, when the articulated bus was carrying 100 students and six others returning from inter-college sports in Harare.

The Government has declared the accident a national disaster. Acting President Joseph Msika yesterday directed the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Ignatius Chombo to make sure that all affected families get Government assistance to bury the deceased.

In his condolence message, Cde Msika expressed sorrow at the death of the students who perished in the accident.

“On behalf of the Government and the people of Zimbabwe and on my own behalf, I would want to offer my heartfelt condolences to the families and relatives.

“Apart from the affected families, Zimbabwe has been dealt a cruel blow by the disaster which has robbed the country of the human investment for which high expectations were envisaged,” he said.

Vice President Simon Muzenda also sent his condolences to the bereaved families.

“The death of so many promising young students constitutes a national disaster of worst proportions. It constitutes a national disaster of worst proportions. It leaves the whole nation shocked and confused. It leaves a national wound that is impossible to heal,” he said.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

Traffic accidents can be caused by a number of factors, including equipment malfunction as well as the actions of the driver, such as speeding or aggressive behaviours like tailgating or unsafe lane changes.

Traffic accidents can cause physical, financial and mental effects for everyone involved.

Sometimes, driving on poor roads or in bad weather is unavoidable. However, bus drivers must do their due diligence to avoid an accident in unsafe environmental conditions. Failure to take appropriate action can lead to injuries and deaths in crashes, multi-vehicle pile-ups, roll-overs, and more.

Sometimes bus companies that concentrate on keeping their costs low and their schedules on time may skip necessary maintenance work. Buses could be operating with old brakes or tires with no treads.

Other times routine engine care has slackened and engines catch fire and belts snap. A bus accident that injures innocent people could be prevented with properly managed maintenance schedules.

The intervention by the Government of Zimbabwe through the importation of  buses, is a welcome initiative, a comprehensive system that ensures the safety of the travelling passengers.