The Sunday Mail
Cletus Mushanawani in Mutare
The Manica Post staffer Nicodmus Nezomba was among the 15 people who were killed in a tragic accident that occurred on the Mutare-Chimanimani Road on Friday night.
Fifteen other passengers were injured and are admitted at the Mutare Provincial Hospital where their condition is reported to be stable.
Nezomba, a circulation assistant, was travelling to Chipinge in the Toyota Regius vehicle which burst one of its tyres and encroached into the lane of a Mutare-bound Nissan Civilian kombi, resulting in a head-on collision.
The driver of the Toyota Regius which was travelling to Birchenough Bridge, Tivakudze Simbarashe, who was employed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police, died on the spot.
Also among the deceased was Headman Bonface Chitiyo who was barely five kilometres from his home.
The other victims include Nyasha Marimburo, Nancy Munhatu, Violet Mupoda, Tatenda Felix Makono, Nyasha Dhliwayo, Glastone Makwezera, Tsverukai Dhliwayo, Lovemore Chinemanga, Robson Madora, Cloud Masvikeni, Junior Norman Mhere and Kingstone Tome.
Zimbabwe Newspapers Harare Branch General Manager Mr Samuel Bepe said Nezomba was dedicated to his work.
“We are grieving as we have lost one of our employees; a dedicated young man whom we thought would rise through the ranks, but, unfortunately, died too soon.”
Yesterday, Manicaland provincial Civil Protection Unit chairman, Mr Fungai Mbetsa visited the 15 survivors at the hospital.
He said the accident had been declared a national disaster and affected families would get State assistance.
“I have been in touch with our national office and the accident is a national disaster. All affected family members will get State assistance. We hope that insurance companies will also come on board because the two vehicles were insured. The insurance companies should also contribute towards the treatment of the injured passengers,” said Mr Mbetsa.
The accident occurred around 6pm when the Birchenough Bridge-bound Toyota Regius burst one of its tyres and the driver lost control of the vehicle.
The Regius swerved to the right and encroached into the lane of the Nissan Civilian which was coming from Bazel Bridge, resulting in a head-on collision.
Most of the passengers were thrown outside on impact and bodies were strewn all over the place.
12 people died on the spot, while three died on admission at Mutare Provincial Hospital.
