Police have warned bus companies’ management and the drivers they employ not to endanger the lives of passengers following an accident that involved two buses and a truck along the Harare-Nyamapanda Road on Tuesday, 17 January.
ZRP national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the drivers of a Rimbi Tours bus and a Zebra Kiss bus were racing when the accident occurred.
One person was killed, while seven others were seriously injured when the Rimbi Bus rammed into the truck as the Zebra Kiss bus was blocking the road during a race. Said Asst Comm Nyathi:
The Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating a fatal road traffic accident that occurred at the 160 km peg along Harare- Nyamapanda Road on 17th January 2023 at around 1620 hours where one person died on the spot while seven (07) others were seriously injured.
A driver who was driving a Rimbi Tours, Yutong bus due west towards Harare, with 23 passengers on board rammed into the back of a Shacman Tipper which was travelling in the same direction.
The bus driver was trying to overtake the truck whilst being blocked by a Zebra Kiss bus that was travelling in the same direction.
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.
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 good conduct in terms of road safety.
The Police will ensure that the law takes its course on the two bus drivers and the bus companies’ management.