Zimpapers Logo

along the Mutare-Juliasdale Road.

The commuter omnibus that had 20 occupants including the driver and conductor was heading towards Nyanga when the accident occurred near the 65-kilometre peg.

Acting National Traffic police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Luxmore Chakanza yesterday said the kombi, a Nissan Caravan, burst its right rear tyre and overturned, killing the three on the spot.

The injured were taken to Mutare General Hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, police have released the names of the nine Mughodhi Apostolic Sect members, including a seven-year-old boy, who died on the spot when a lorry they were travelling in side-swiped with another lorry along the Chivhu-Gutu Road last Saturday.

They are Pretty Popi (21), Priscilla Nzembe (15), Loveness Chidziri (35), Kudakwashe Makahamadze (39), Ephraim Bhasera (7), Moreblessing Matombo (23), Edna Maluleka (27), one identified as Matombo (42) all of Chiredzi and Esther Mashanda (37) of Shurugwi.

Asst Insp Chakanza said four other people who were seriously injured in the accident were still admitted to Chivhu Hospital.

He said they were still investigating the cause of the accident as they suspected that one of the lorry drivers could have encroached into the lane of the other.

The accident occurred near the 11km peg and it involved a DAF lorry which was carrying planks and heading towards Gutu while the other one, a Bedford lorry, had 56 members of the apostolic church.

It is reported that on approaching the 11km peg, the two lorries side-swiped resulting in the death of the nine.

Asst Insp Chakanza said the right side of the Bedford lorry was ripped off while the other one had minor damages.

The Bedford lorry stopped about 20 metres away from the scene while the DAF lorry stopped about 100 metres away from the point of impact.