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Pamela Shumba Chronicle Reporter
EIGHT people died, seven on the spot while 57 were seriously injured when a Nissan UD truck they were travelling in to a Zanu-PF rally overturned thrice at the 23km peg along the Bulawayo-Nyamandlovu Road at about noon yesterday.The accident occurred in the Mimosa area, Umguza District when the driver of the truck, Mr Dumisani Sibanda lost control of the vehicle and it overturned.

Police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the accident yesterday. The passengers were on their way to Nyamandlovu for a rally organised by Zanu-PF National Assembly candidate for Umguza constituency, Dr Obert Mpofu, and a music show.

When Chronicle visited the scene yesterday the injured had been ferried to Mpilo Central Hospital while the police had taken the bodies of the victims to the mortuary. A total of nine ambulances were seen rushing the injured to hospital for treatment.

An eyewitness, Mr John Dube from Plot 2 in Umguza said he saw the truck swerving sideways before it overturned right in front of him.
“The truck was travelling towards Nyamandlovu and we were standing under a tree across the road, waiting for a car to come and take us to the rally. The truck was carrying more than 60 people.  As it approached, we saw it swerving sideways.

“While we were still looking at the truck, a woman dropped a hat before she was also thrown out of the vehicle and died instantly. In a few seconds, the truck overturned three times and landed on its roof while the people were screaming for help,” said Mr Dube.

He said they rushed to the scene and realised that seven people had died on the spot, while others were injured.
“Among the six people who died on the spot was a child. The driver survived but he sustained serious head and neck injuries. He said he did not sense the truck swerving but heard a loud noise underneath before it overturned. We quickly phoned the police who attended to the scene and ferried the bodies of the deceased to Bulawayo while the injured were taken to hospital,” said Mr Dube.

The owner of the truck Mr Khulani Moyo of Mandalay Farm said the accident occurred a few minutes after he overtook the vehicle, while on his way to Nyamandlovu.

“I was also going to attend the rally in Nyamandlovu but I was driving a different car. I overtook the truck at Mimosa but I was shocked when one of the occupants called me a few minutes later saying the truck had overturned and killed people.

“I rushed back and realised that seven people had died while many others were seriously injured,” said Mr Moyo.
Snr Asst Comm Charamba said: “The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to confirm that a fatal road accident has occurred at the 23km peg along the Bulawayo-Nyamandlovu Road at about 11am.

“A Nissan UD Truck carrying 65 people from Mandalay Farm to Nyamandlovu veered off the road to the left and later to the right before overturning and landing on its roof.   Seven people died on the spot while one died on admission at Mpilo Central Hospital.  Fifty seven were injured and taken to Mpilo.” She warned motorists against speeding.

“We would like to warn motorists to desist from speeding. Meanwhile police would like to dismiss rumours that there are people who died in a road accident in Gweru on 26 July,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.