19 injured as kombis collide

By Patrick Chitumba

NINETEEN people cheated death yesterday after two commuter omnibuses they were travelling in were involved in a head-on collision in Gweru’s Mambo suburb.

The injured passengers and commuter omnibus crew were ferried to Gweru Provincial Hospital for treatment.

Gweru Chief Fire Officer, Emmanuel Musemwa, said the accident occurred during the morning rush hour at around 730AM when two commuter omnibuses collided head-on near Lower Gweru turn-off, along Hamutyinei Road in Mambo suburb.

He said the two commuter omnibuses were going in opposing directions, one towards town and the other towards Mkoba 18.

“There was a commuter omnibus that was travelling towards the city centre and the other one going in the opposite direction to Mkoba 18.

“On approaching Lower Gweru turnoff, the commuter omnibus going into town tried to avoid a pedestrian who was crossing the road, encroached into the right lane. There was an oncoming commuter omnibus from town, resulting in the head-on collision,” he said.

Musemwa said 19 people were injured on the spot and were taken to hospital.

He took a swipe at members of the public whom he said were busy taking pictures to share on social media instead of assisting the injured.

Gweru Provincial Hospital public relations officer, Violet Hlupeki said they had treated 17 people, eight females and nine males from the accident.

“Seven passengers are admitted at the health institution. One of them is seriously injured,” said Hlupeki. The Chronicle