The ManicaPost
Post Reporter
GOVERNMENT, through the Insurance Company of Zimbabwe (ICZ), is meeting the medical expenses for the people who sustained injuries in an accident that occurred near the tollgate just outside Mutare on Christmas Eve, while the deceased’s families are also receiving assistance for burials.
68 people survived the crash when a Beta bus collided with a Pathera Logistics fuel tanker before bursting into flames.
Three people died on the spot while two others died after admission at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital.
Government has contracted Doves Funeral Services to provide the caskets and hearses for the deceased.
The remains of the two victims who were burnt beyond recognition are still at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting forensic tests.
Manicaland provincial deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said a police forensic team had proceeded to the scene and commenced forensic investigations.
“The Road Traffic Accident (RTA) verification exercise has revealed that there were 69 people on the Beta bus and two aboard the fuel tanker. Three people died on the spot. The injured passengers were ferried to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital where two died after admission. 41 were treated and discharged and 25 are still hospitalised, disaggregated as 10 men, 10 women and five children under 12 years,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
He said the owner of Beta Bus Company, Mr Muganda, visited Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital to console the bereaved families and those who were injured in the accident.
Said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka: “Mr Muganda handed over US$4 000 to Mutare District Development Co-ordinator, Mr Wilson Boore, in the presence of Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Manicaland, Mr Edgars Seenza, to meet medical expenses for the hospitalised as well as food for the deceased’s families and other related expenses. He is also assisting the police to locate his driver.”
The driver of the Beta bus has been identified as Philip Chirindo.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said two of the deceased’s bodies have been collected for burial.
“Two bodies have been collected by their relatives for burial at their rural homes. Delan Ndoro’s body was taken to Mapfunde Village under Chief Zimunya in Mutare District and Admire Mandeya’s to Nyatate Village under Chief Mutasa in Nyanga District. Government contracted Doves to provide the hearses and caskets.
“The remains of Rufu Zambezi, the truck driver, have been collected for burial at Glen Forest in Goromonzi at the request of his relatives,” he said.
