Mat South horror crash victims named
Police in Matabeleland South have identified 10 of the 12 people killed when a South African-registered vehicle collided with a haulage truck on Monday night. The Toyota Hilux was travelling to South Africa while the Volvo truck was driving towards Bulawayo.
The accident occurred at around 8pm along the Beitbridge-Bulawayo Road. Twelve people, including a pregnant woman and a toddler, were burnt beyond recognition. All the deceased are from Bulawayo. Matabeleland South acting police spokesperson Sergeant Loveness Mangena said the truck driver was the only survivor.
She said police had identified the victims through a passenger manifest and pieces of clothing they were wearing.
The victims are Candice Sibanda of 11625, Nkulumane, Bulawayo, Nozimuhle Sibanda (same address), Gideon Ncube (631 Emganwini), Percy Dlamini (14343 Pumula North), Thandeka Ndebele (3527 Emakhandeni), Dalubuhle Ncube (33256 Entumbane), Lungile Ndlovu (1682 Nkulumane), Thandiwe Sibanda (6639 Pumula North), Nkosinathi Ndlovu (168 Makokoba) and Ephraim Sibanda (7301 Nkulumane).
She said efforts are under way to identify the other victims’ next of kin. “Their bodies are still at Gwanda Provincial Hospital mortuary, but relatives have since started collecting the remains for burial,” she said.
Meanwhile, University of Zimbabwe Vice-Chancellor Professor Levi Nyagura sustained serious injuries after being involved in an accident with a commuter omnibus at the university yesterday. National Traffic Police spokesperson Inspector Tigere Chigome confirmed the accident.
“We understand that the commuter omnibus driver failed to negotiate a curve leading to a head-on collision with Prof Nyagura’s car,” he said. The accident occurred around 8am opposite the campus’s main gate. Prof Nyagura was expected to attend the official launch of Government’s Tele-education Programme.
Ten other people who were injured in the accident were taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital and their condition was reportedly stable.
