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Trust Freddy-Herald Correspondent

HARARE residents yesterday expressed outrage at commuter omnibus owners for hiring rogue drivers, after a kombi driver recklessly turned right in front of an oncoming fuel tanker at Kuwadzana 7 turn-off on the Harare-Bulawayo Road, resulting in a collision that claimed seven lives, while six other passengers were injured.

Almost all accidents can be attributed to drivers’ recklessness with the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe estimating that 94 percent of all road accidents are due to human error, while poor road infrastructure and other factors contribute just 6 percent.

The latest crash occurred at 5.10 am yesterday at the Kuwadzana 7 turn-off.

In a statement, national police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “Five people were killed while six others were injured when a Toyota Hiace kombi with a yet to-be-established number of passengers on-board collided with a fuel tanker with no passengers on board. The kombi had turned right into Bulawayo Road in front of the oncoming fuel tanker.”

As of last night, the death toll had risen to seven and the victims were yet to be identified by their next of kin.

After disturbing pictures of the lifeless victims went viral on social media, The Herald sought people’s reactions, with many venting their anger and calling on authorities to intervene.

“The issue stems from kombi owners who recklessly hire drug-addicted drivers who are always exhausted from mutoriro abuse. They prioritise financial gains over the safety of their passengers,” Ms Winnie Madzana posted on her Facebook page.

Another concerned citizen, Ms Tracy Mkombo, said: “The chaos on our roads because of kombi drivers needs to be dealt with once and for all. We need sanity restored on our roads lest more innocent lives are cut short. Something drastic needs to be done to put these hooligans in check”. Other city residents alleged that kombi owners turn a blind eye to reckless driving, seeking higher returns.

“I am sure that one of the passengers reprimanded the driver, but they rarely take advice,” Mr Tapfuma Marodza said.

“I believe that public service drivers should be required to have at least five O’ Levels. This is because if you warn them about speeding, they either ignore you or drastically reduce their speed to 10km/h, making the ride unpleasant.”

Whitney Banda said: “Some kombi drivers are uncontrollable; when you caution them about reckless driving, they respond rudely, saying ‘Who wants to die here?’”

Mr Blessing Muskwe implored the Government to take immediate action.

“This calls for the Government to declare these accidents happening daily a state of disaster and find a solution to end this,” Mr Muskwe said.