MASVINGO -A sombre atmosphere gripped Masvingo on Monday as families, government officials, and community members gathered to bid farewell to four of the eight victims who perished in a horrific traffic accident along the Masvingo–Mutare highway on Saturday.
The tragic collision, which involved a Dragon Bus travelling from Beitbridge to Mutare and a truck carrying a full load of timber, has once again highlighted the dangers on Zimbabwe’s highways. The state, in recognition of the scale of the tragedy, accorded the deceased state-assisted funerals.
At a send-off ceremony held in Masvingo, relatives of four of the victims collected the bodies for burial at their rural homes. Grief was palpable as families struggled to come to terms with the sudden and violent loss of their loved ones.
One family representative described the deceased relative as a hardworking cross-border trader whose death has left a lasting void.
“Today is a sad day for us as a family as we collect the body of our sister for burial. She was a cross-border trader, hence a breadwinner and has left her children as orphans. However, we are consoled by the support we have received from the government in the form of coffins, food and transport,” the relative said.
Another bereaved family member expressed both sorrow and gratitude, emphasising that government assistance had eased their burden.
“As a family, we are so saddened by the loss of our relative. The circumstances are so disturbing for the whole family. We want to thank President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his administration for the assistance. It was going to be difficult for us to cater for all the expenses associated with the burial, however, they have made it easier for us,” the representative said.
Masvingo Mourns Victims of Highway Crash as Families Receive State Assistance
Speaking at the ceremony, Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira, conveyed government condolences to the families and promised that authorities would continue to provide support.
“As the government, we are saddened by the continuous loss of life on our roads. On Saturday, eight families lost their loved ones, most of them were breadwinners coming from South Africa. We continue to urge our drivers to be very cautious on the roads. We thank our President for granting these victims assistance,” Chadzamira said.
The minister’s remarks echoed growing concern about road safety in Zimbabwe, where fatal accidents are increasingly linked to reckless driving, speeding, and poor adherence to traffic regulations.
According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), preliminary investigations point to an ill-timed overtaking attempt as the cause of the crash. Police say the bus driver attempted to overtake a timber-laden truck but quickly swerved back into his lane upon noticing an oncoming vehicle. The manoeuvre resulted in a sideswipe, with devastating consequences.
The timber from the truck pierced through the bus, causing fatal injuries to several passengers. Authorities confirmed that eight people died on the spot, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries. Survivors were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Police have since renewed their calls for heightened caution on the country’s highways, particularly for public service vehicle operators who transport large numbers of passengers daily.
Family members of the deceased and members of the public who attended the send-off ceremony called for harsher penalties against errant drivers whose actions put lives at risk. Many said that Zimbabwe could not afford to continue losing lives to avoidable accidents.
One grieving relative said: “Drivers need to value life and respect the rules of the road. If tougher penalties are introduced, perhaps people will think twice before overtaking recklessly or speeding. Too many families are losing breadwinners because of such negligence.”
Broader road safety concerns
The Masvingo–Mutare highway, like many of Zimbabwe’s major roads, has been the site of numerous fatal accidents over the years. Authorities have acknowledged that while efforts are being made to rehabilitate road infrastructure, reckless driving remains a leading cause of tragedies.
Transport safety experts note that buses and haulage trucks, often operated under strict schedules and economic pressures, are among the biggest culprits in highway accidents. Calls are growing for stricter enforcement of regulations, including driver training, regular vehicle inspections, and tougher penalties for traffic violations.For now, the focus remains on mourning the victims of Saturday’s crash. The funerals, supported by state assistance, have provided some relief to grieving families but cannot erase the deep pain of losing loved ones in such a violent and preventable manner.
As the coffins were collected and transported to rural homes for burial, the grief-stricken families carried not only the weight of their loss but also a renewed call for change. Community members and government officials alike urged drivers to exercise greater responsibility, stressing that the human cost of negligence on the road is far too high.
The Masvingo tragedy has once again underscored the urgent need for stronger measures to improve road safety in Zimbabwe. As investigations continue, the memory of those who perished now serves as a painful reminder of the fragility of life on the country’s highways.
Source- ZBC
