Tinotenda Hove – Seven people lost their lives in a tragic secondary accident after a haulage truck ploughed into bystanders at an earlier crash site along the Bulawayo–Beitbridge Road.

The fatal incident occurred on Friday around 10pm near Mawabeni, according to Matabeleland South Provincial Civil Protection Committee chairperson Zachariah Jusah.
Jusah explained that the tragedy began when two vehicles collided at a bridge in the area.

“A Nissan March and a Toyota Probox collided at a bridge in Mawabeni. Both vehicles were travelling towards Gwanda,” he said.
He added that a commuter omnibus approaching from the same direction failed to stop in time and crashed into the already damaged vehicles.

“A kombi moving in the same direction then struck the stationary cars, leaving six people injured who were taken to hospital,” Jusah said.

Moments later, disaster struck again when a haulage truck, reportedly unaware of the accident ahead, drove through the scene at high speed.

“Residents had gathered at the scene following the accident. A haulage truck travelling towards Bulawayo came at high speed and hit the people, killing five instantly while two others died on the way to hospital,” he said.

Authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution, especially when approaching accident scenes, as investigations into the incident continue.