A tragic bus accident on the N1 highway near Makhado, Limpopo province, South Africa, has claimed the lives of 10 Zimbabweans, leaving families and communities in mourning.
The bus, travelling from Bulawayo to Johannesburg, overturned near the 3-mile marker on the N1, just before midnight on Tuesday, August 27.
The accident, which involved an Mzansi Express bus, has been attributed to the driver's unfamiliarity with the route.
According to Limpopo's Department of Transport and Community Safety, the driver, who was new to the job, lost control of the bus while driving over a roundabout at high speed, leading to the fatal crash.
"The bus was en route to Johannesburg from Zimbabwe, when the accident happened just before midnight, on the evening of Tuesday, August 27. All the deceased, five males and five females, are reportedly foreign nationals," said Phuti Lekganyane, acting spokesperson for the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety.
"According to reports, the bus drove over a roundabout – the last traffic circle from Makhado towards Polokwane – at high speed, lost control and overturned, killing and injuring its passengers in the process."
The accident scene has since been cleared, and several injured passengers have been taken to different hospitals. Limpopo's Member of Executive Committee (MEC), Violet Mathye, expressed her deep sadness over the loss of life and sent her condolences to the bereaved families. She also wished those hospitalised a speedy recovery.
"Limpopo’s Member of Executive Committee (MEC), Violet Mathye has learned with sadness about the deaths of 10 passengers, who perished in a bus accident that took place near 3 miles on the N1 around Makhado," read a statement from the department.
"The bus was en route to Johannesburg from Zimbabwe when the accident happened just before midnight on Tuesday. All the deceased are foreign nationals. According to reports the bus drove over a roundabout (last traffic circle from Makhado towards Polokwane) at high speed, lost control and overturned, killing and injuring its passengers in the process."
The N1 highway, a major commercial road linking Zimbabwe with the rest of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), has unfortunately become a notorious death trap for many road users. This latest accident shows the dangers posed by reckless driving and the importance of driver training and familiarisation with routes.
The Zimbabwean community in South Africa and back home is reeling from the tragedy, with families desperately seeking information about their loved ones. The Zimbabwean embassy in South Africa is working closely with local authorities to identify the victims and provide support to their families.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident and extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives. We are working tirelessly to provide assistance to the families of the victims, including repatriation of bodies and consular support,” said a Zimbabwean embassy official.
