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George Maponga–Masvingo Bureau

Survivors of the Chikozho Bus Company accident that killed nine people and left more than 100 injured  near Lake Mutirikwi along Masvingo-Chatikobo Road on Friday evening say the bus’ braking system was intermittently failing during the journey.

Masvingo Central National Assembly representative Cde Eddison Zvobgo (Jnr) has urged the Government to be firm with errant public transport operators who are killing innocent people due to non-compliance to road safety rules and ensuring their vehicles are roadworthy. 

Six people died on the spot after the brakes allegedly failed, resulting in the driver losing control of the bus, which landed on its side, trapping more than 105 passengers inside.

The overloaded bus also had more than 20 passengers riding on top of its roof, bringing the total number of passengers to nearly 130, including two crew members.

At least 65 passengers were treated at Topora Clinic and discharged, while another 30 are still admitted at Morgenster Mission Hospital and Masvingo Provincial Hospital where their condition is reported to be generally stable.

Survivors, who spoke to The Herald from their hospital beds at Masvingo Provincial Hospital, said the bus’ braking system was faulty. 

Mr Kudzanayi Kwangware of Munamati Village, who sustained injuries on the spinal cord, says he was thrown off the roof of the bus where he was seated.

“I had to sit on the roof of the bus and we were around 20 passengers and luggage. I fell to the ground after the bus suddenly gained speed as it was negotiating a slope and it was clear the driver had lost control. The only thing I remember is that I woke up in hospital,’’ he said.

Mr Ananias Matsuto of Hwendedzo Village said he was grateful to God that he survived the accident.

“I was the last person to be rescued from the bus after the accident. I don’t know how I survived because everyone in the bus was screaming after the braking system failed and the driver failed to control the bus. At some point, the bus went airborne as it made its way down the slope and the only thing I remember is telling another passenger next to me that we were going to die. I woke up here in the hospital,’’ he said.

Mr Washington Gwehe from Gwehe Village also said it was by God’s grace that he survived.

“I am lucky to be alive and it is all because of God’s grace. I was thrown off the bus and hit the ground with my whole body. I fractured my arms and limbs and I need surgery,’’ he said.

Mr First Midzi of Chatikobo Village broke his leg.

“The brakes failed at first before the accident and the driver managed to restore them and this time when they failed again he repeated the same trick he had used to restore them but just after starting the engine the bus started accelerating and he failed to control it as it went down the slope and the last thing I remember was when I woke up only to see that I was in an ambulance. I am lucky to be alive,’’ he said.

Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira and members of the Joint Operations Command on Saturday visited the injured at Masvingo Provincial Hospital where Minister Chadzamira announced that the Government through the Civil Protection Unit will assist in the burial of the victims of the accident.

Cde Zvobgo (Jnr) yesterday visited the injured passengers at Masvingo Provincial Hospital where he comforted relatives of some of the deceased and critically injured.

He said the accident was avoidable, emphasising the law should take course.

“The first thing to note is that this bus was overloaded. It was carrying 105 passengers and also more than 20  on the bus roof. It is clear there is an aspect of negligence. 

“I am a lawyer myself and I do not want to pre-empt (the case) but the law should take its course because there is also the issue of brakes failing and prior to the accident along the journey the brakes had also failed so there is negligence. I urge the responsible authorities to consider taking action and press culpable homicide charges,’’ said Cde Zvobgo.

“There should always be proof that public transport vehicles have passed fitness tests because we can’t gamble with people’s lives. In this case the law should take its course because there is clear evidence of negligence.’’