Reckless Rimbi Tours and Zebra Kiss bus drivers to face police action
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has vowed to take action against the drivers and managers of Rimbi Tours and Zebra Kiss bus companies after a viral video exposed how they were speeding and blocking each other before a horror crash that killed a conductor and injured seven passengers at the 160 km peg along Harare-Nyamapanda Road on Tuesday.
In the video the conductor of the Rimbi bus can be seen filming the Zebra Kiss bus which was ahead of them but blocking them from overtaking as they were competing for passengers.
When the Zebra Kiss bus overtook a Tipper vehicle, the Rimbi bus driver, Penyai Misheck, 39, of Marlborough did not have time to react and hit the truck’s loading box, killing his conductor on the spot.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi issued a statement on Wednesday confirming that both bus drivers and their employers will face justice.
“The police will ensure that the law takes its course on the two bus drivers and the bus companies management,” Nyathi said.
He added, “It is clear that the bus drivers were racing and blocking each other along the road. They were openly putting the lives of passengers in danger.”
Nyathi said it was the responsibility of bus companies to control the behaviour of their drivers on the roads.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police implores bus operators to reign in their drivers to ensure that they abide by road rules and regulations.
“Operators have a vicarious responsibility to control their drivers and ensure that drivers are not dragged into dangerous and reckless highway races with other buses for passengers.
“Drivers are licensed to protect lives on the roads and set a good conduct in terms of road safety,” he said.
Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Simon Chazovachii, gave details further of the accident and how the injured were rushed to Mutoko District Hospital.
“Police are investigating a road traffic accident involving a Rimbi bus where one person died on the spot and seven passengers were injured,” said Insp Chazovachii.
“Circumstances are that the Rimbi driver was reported to have failed to overtake, and upon avoiding a head-on collision, he veered and hit the Tipper loading box.
“We continue to urge passengers to warn speeding drivers as well as report any driver violating road safety rules. We urge drivers to exercise caution on roads as well as respect the sanctity of life,” said Insp Chazovachii.
