Ten killed in Polokwane bus accident

The 10 Zimbabweans who were killed in a bus crash outside Polokwane on Monday morning were victims of their own country’s “terrible economic situation”, said the Movement for Democratic Change.

“Imagine that we have lost dear ones who were in transit just to buy simple items like salt, sugar or blankets,” said the party, which is part of a national unity government with President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF.

“We urge parties in the inclusive government to speed up the full implementation of the unity agreement, so as to open up Zimbabwe’s economic global participation.”

Seven women and three men died and more than 30 people were injured when the bus driver lost control of the vehicle on the N1.

“We can confirm that all the deceased were Zimbabweans,” said police spokesperson Captain Mohlaka Mashiane.

“The driver lost control of the bus and it overturned and it killed ten people instantly.

He said 30 people were initially admitted to hospital and another three passengers were taken to hospital later in the morning.

The bus was travelling from Zimbabwe to Gauteng when the accident happened just before 3am.

Mashiane said it was unclear what caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

The MDC expressed “shock and sadness” at the news of the accident.

“The majority of the deceased are cross-border traders who met their untimely deaths whilst in the process of trying to put bread on their tables.

“Such incidents are clear confirmations of how the terrible economic situation in Zimbabwe has continued to expose Zimbabweans to danger,” the MDC said.—Sapa