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The NRZ goods train which derailed near Hwange yesterday (pictures by Innocent Moyo)

Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
A NATIONAL Railways of Zimbabwe’s (NRZ) goods train transporting maize from Zambia to Bulawayo derailed yesterday near Hwange.

NRZ workers had a torrid time warding off locals who wanted to loot the grain.

It could not be ascertained if the maize is part of a government consignment to avert hunger.

Last week, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa revealed that the government had acquired 115,000 tonnes of maize from Zambia.

Witnesses said the train was pulling about 10 wagons.

They said the train and its wagons careened off the railway line before landing on its side.

NRZ’s public relations manager Fanuel Masikati said the parastatal was investigating the cause of the accident.

“I can confirm that one of our goods trains derailed near (TJ) Thompson Junction just before Hwange. Investigations to establish the cause of the derailment will commence soon,” said Masikati.

He said the train was loaded with maize coming from Zambia.

Masikati, however, declined to disclose if the maize was part of government imports.

“What I can tell you is that it was transporting maize from Zambia to Bulawayo,” he said.

Masikati said NRZ employees were guarding the maize because some locals were trying to loot it yesterday morning.

“If it wasn’t for the employees, people could have looted the maize. The employees are monitoring the consignment to ensure that no one gets near the trolleys,” he said.

Masikati said the NRZ would have to replace sections of the railway line.

NRZ is facing viability challenges with most of its equipment having outlived its 25-year lifespan.

Last year, the parliamentary chairperson on Public Accounts Committee Paurina Mpariwa (MP), said NRZ needed over $700 million to get back on its feet as most of its wagons are outdated and costly to maintain.