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Thupeyo Muleya, [email protected]

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has declared the Beitbridge road accident that claimed 24 lives yesterday morning a national disaster, assuring state assistance for the victims’ families.

Zimbabwe awoke to the devastating news of a fatal head-on collision between an Urban Connect bus and an Auro Transport haulage truck near Lutumba Tollgate, about 25km from Beitbridge Town.

The accident occurred around 8am on the Beitbridge-Masvingo Highway. Seventeen people died on the spot, while seven others succumbed to injuries upon admission to Beitbridge District Hospital.

Bus-Haulage truck head on collision claims lives along Beitbridge highway

In a statement yesterday, President Mnangagwa expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy.
“The death of fellow Zimbabweans in a head-on collision between an Urban Connect bus and a commercial truck along the Beitbridge-Masvingo highway this morning (yesterday), left me horrified and heartbroken,” he said.

“Fellow Zimbabweans, our nation does not deserve this at all, let alone experiencing such a bloody incident at the beginning of the year. We have to do all that is possible to curb this unjustified loss of life.”

President Mnangagwa also called for urgent measures to improve road safety, urging motorists to exercise extreme caution and law enforcement agencies to step up efforts in curbing road carnage.

“All arms of the Government that are responsible for ensuring safety on our roads are thus constantly reminded to work around the clock and invoke all legal means and powers available to them, to reduce and subsequently put an end to such carnage,” he said.

President Mnangagwa

The Government, President Mnangagwa announced, will provide state-assisted burials for the victims as part of disaster relief efforts.

“Government has, therefore, declared this incident a national disaster and will accord victims of this horrendous crash State-assisted burial.

“As I express my deepest, heartfelt condolences to families and relatives who have lost their loved ones in this horrific crash, I also heartily and prayerfully reach out to all those injured and hospitalised, wishing them a speedy recovery,” he said.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the Urban Connect bus, bound for Beitbridge, was overtaking another vehicle near Lutumba Tollgate when it crashed into a haulage truck that had just pulled out of the tollgate.

The commercial truck, en route to Chirundu, was suspected to be carrying 34 tonnes of magnesium.
Dr Lenos Samhere, the District Medical Officer for Beitbridge, said 17 passengers died on the spot while eight others who had sustained head injuries died upon admission at the local district hospital.

“A total of 53 other passengers were admitted for medical attention, with 10 in critical condition and transferred to Gwanda Provincial Hospital. Among the injured are 26 men and 30 women with varying degrees of injuries,” he said.
Rescue efforts were swiftly coordinated by the police, local motorists, and the Beitbridge Civil Protection Committee.

In a statement yesterday, Urban Connect Bus Company expressed its condolences to the grieving families and pledged to compensate each of the victims’ families with US$500.

“As Urban Connect, we want to express our heartfelt condolences to families and relatives of our fellow Zimbabweans who passed on in the bus accident on Thursday 13 February 2025 near the Lutumba Tollgate along the Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway. We wish a speedy recovery to those injured,” said the company.

“We will offer compassionate assistance to relatives of the departed and we have started rendering assistance to the injured. In addition, we pledge to co-operate with authorities in investigations into this accident.”

National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said the bodies of all the victims were taken to Beitbridge District Hospital mortuary pending post-mortem examinations. He said investigations are ongoing, with more details set to be availed in due course.

Commissioner Paul Nyathi

When the Zimpapers news crew arrived at the scene, police, community members, and the Municipality of Beitbridge emergency services were busy retrieving bodies trapped in the wreckage.

Distraught relatives rushed to Beitbridge District Hospital, desperately seeking information about their loved ones who had boarded the bus.

Mr Thomas Nhundu, an undertaker from Great Hope Funeral Parlour, was driving towards Beitbridge when he witnessed the accident.

“The bus had just overtaken another vehicle. When we arrived, bodies were strewn across the tarmac. We helped retrieve some victims trapped in the wreckage and transported them to the hospital with the assistance of police and other motorists,” he said.
Another witness, Mr Leonard Wanderson from Tshapfutshe Village, rushed to the scene after hearing a loud bang.
“I had seen the bus passing through our business centre, then suddenly heard a loud crash. When I arrived, we started rescuing the injured and covering the dead bodies with blankets and clothes,” he said.
Survivors described harrowing experiences. Mr Tinashe Chingo from Chitungwiza said he was asleep when the accident happened.

“I woke up to a loud bang and saw bodies lying on the road. I was terrified and was later rushed to the hospital where medical staff attended to us, together with other injured victims,” he recounted.
Another survivor, Ms Tambudzai Mugasa, recalled seeing the impending collision but being unable to react.

“I saw death before my eyes and put everything to God. The next moment, I was outside the bus, surrounded by lifeless bodies,” she said.

The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) is expected to assess the accident scene to determine whether hazardous materials were spilled from the haulage truck.

“Our team will conduct an on-site inspection to confirm whether the truck was indeed carrying magnesium and to assess any potential environmental impact,” said EMA’s environmental education and publicity manager, Ms Amkela Sidange. She said at the moment it’s still speculation that a mineral could have been spilled at the crash site.