The Sunday Mail
Leroy Dzenga and Wallace Ruzvidzo
Images that flood the internet on Christmas usually depict festive indulgence and gluttony as families make merry.
It is a time when families try to outdo each other through partaking the most appetising cuisine.
But, in Zimbabwe, it was different this year.
Pictures of a scalded and bruised truck driver from Kadoma, Sirizani Butau, almost broke the internet as they inundated various social media platforms.
He was among the “first responders” to the fatal accident which happened 20 kilometres outside Mutare along the Mutare-Harare Highway when a bus collided with a freightliner on Christmas Eve.
Five people died, while more than 20 have been hospitalised.
Among those being nursed is Butau.
Apparently, he was driving another truck when he identified one of the vehicles that had been involved in the fatal crash.
“The truck that was involved in the accident was being driven by my colleague and friend. So I rushed and found him still alive, so I tried to save him because I knew that with time the petrol would catch fire, so when I was trying to retrieve him, that is when it caught fire,” Butau said.
While some individuals whipped out their phones to capture the tragedy, he chose to look death in the eye.
He rescued eight people from the growing inferno and suffered third-degree burns in the process.
His images have since gone viral on Twitter, as he is being celebrated as a hero.
His bravery and heroic acts have also won him admiration.
Comedienne Madam Boss has since pledged US$500 towards Butau and his family.
Corporates, too, have entered the fray, with local breadmaker TN Baker making a commitment to donate US$1 000.
Local eatery Hotplate Grill has made an undertaking to donate meals to cover the duration of his hospital stay.
A humble Butau, however, insists that his actions were mainly driven by the desire to save lives.
“I was not doing it in pursuit of any glory or praise. If there are people who may want to extend donations, they can do so, but I am not making any demands,” Butau told a local online publication.
Eyewitnesses said he tried to open the tanker’s door to save the driver, but the fire kept on growing.
He, however, tried to find tools to open the door, but unfortunately the truck burst into a ball of fire.
When The Sunday Mail phoned
Butau last night, he told this paper that he would only be able to talk later as his wounds were being dressed.
Attempts to get hold of him were fruitless by the time of going to print.
Despite facing imminent danger, Butau chose to risk his life to save his fellow countrymen.
His story is a reminder that not all heroes wear capes, sometimes they emerge behind the steering wheel of a haulage truck wearing a pair of shorts and a vest.
In a statement on the accident yesterday, ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “The driver of a Beta Bus Company’s Youtong was travelling towards Mutare with 63 passengers on board and on approaching the 242km peg it is claimed that the driver was avoiding a suspected drunk pedestrian, resulting in the bus swerving onto the lane of oncoming traffic.
“As a result, the bus collided with a Freightliner fuel tanker which was travelling in the opposite direction, with one passenger on board.”
Asst Comm Nyathi said they will reveal the names of the victims who died once their next of keen are informed.
“Three people died on the spot including the driver of the fuel tanker and his passenger, while two others died upon admission at Victoria Chitepo Hospital. The bodies of the victims were ferried to Victoria Chitepo Hospital, while 60 people who were injured were admitted at the same hospital,” he said.
More than 20 are still admitted and about 40 were treated and released.
Butau last night, he told this paper that he would only be able to talk later as his wounds were being dressed.
Attempts to get hold of him were fruitless by the time of going to print.
Despite facing imminent danger, Butau chose to risk his life to save his fellow countrymen. His story is a reminder that not all heroes wear capes, sometimes they emerge behind the steering wheel of a haulage truck wearing a pair of shorts and a vest.
In a statement on the accident yesterday, ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “The driver of a Beta Bus Company’s Youtong was travelling towards Mutare with 63 passengers on board and on approaching the 242km peg it is claimed that the driver was avoiding a suspected drunk pedestrian, resulting in the bus swerving onto the lane of oncoming traffic.
“As a result, the bus collided with a Freightliner fuel tanker which was travelling in the opposite direction, with one passenger on board.”
Asst Comm Nyathi said they will reveal the names of the victims who died once their next of keen are informed.
“Three people died on the spot including the driver of the fuel tanker and his passenger, while two others died upon admission at Victoria Chitepo Hospital.
“The bodies of the victims were ferried to Victoria Chitepo Hospital, while 60 people who were injured were admitted at the same hospital,” he said. More than 20 are still admitted and about 40 were treated and released.
