The Government has suspended the operating licenses of bus companies City Bus and Blue Circle after the horror accident in Beitbridge on Saturday.
In the wee hours of Saturday, 16 March 2024, a Blue Circle collided head-on with another from City Bus along the Beitbridge-Masvingo Highway. The accident took place near the Tshamunanga area, approximately 12km north of Beitbridge town. The incident happened around 1 am when one of the buses reportedly hit a donkey and swerved into the oncoming traffic lane, leading to the head-on collision.
Nine people were confirmed d3ad as a result of the accident. Seven individuals d!ed at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries after being admitted to the hospital. Additionally, eight critically injured passengers were transferred to Bulawayo for further treatment, and another 30 were attended to at the local hospital.
The Civil Protection Committee in Beitbridge, led by Chairperson Sikhangezile Mafu Moyo, responded swiftly to the accident. Later on, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the crash and released the names of five of the deceased victims.
On 19 March, Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Dr Evelyn Ndlovu revealed that two more people d!ed in hospital, bringing the death toll to 11.
In response to the horror crash, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development said the Government is committed to formulating “legal, policy, and administrative mechanisms to improve the country’s road safety regime and performance.”
Following the Beitbridge accident, the Government suspended the operating licenses of Swaymo Enterprises Pvt Ltd, trading as Blue Circle, and Wipeco Investments (Pvt) Ltd, trading as City Bus. The bus companies have been ordered to temporarily cease commuting for not being compliant with the country’s regulations on road traffic and safety management.
Source iHarare
