BY AGENCIES
CAPE TOWN – In a tragic accident on Saturday evening, a coach from the Simplex Bus Company collided with a haulage truck on the N1 Highway near Hex River Pass in Western Cape, South Africa, killing 13 Zimbabweans and injuring 26 others. The bus was en route from Harare to Cape Town.
The driver, who reportedly tried to jump out of the bus, died instantly at the scene. The accident occurred approximately 130km before Cape Town, according to South African media reports.
Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, rushing survivors to Worcester Hospital for urgent medical attention. Some of the injured are in critical condition, fighting for their lives. The cause of the accident is currently unknown, but authorities have launched investigations.
The injured have since been transferred to Noodsentrum Hospital in the Western Cape. Zimbabwe's consul general in Cape Town, Ms Esther Mudambo, stated that more details about the accident would be released in due course.
The area's Provincial Minister of Mobility, Mr Ricardo Mackenzie, extended his condolences to the bereaved families. "My heartfelt condolences go out to the loved ones," he told SABC News.
"I wish a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured. I also want to thank the dedicated teams who responded to these tragic incidents, working long hours under difficult circumstances."
Dr Samson Nhanhanga, chairman of the Zimbabwe Passengers Transport Organisation, expressed sorrow over the loss of lives. "We mourn with the grieving families who lost mostly their breadwinners," he said.
A team has been dispatched to South Africa to assist the police and ensure the injured receive medical assistance. The association is also in constant contact with the bereaved families, providing consolation and assistance with necessary paperwork.
Dr Nhanhanga added that the association will continue to update Zimbabweans on any developments and urged crews to obey road rules to prevent such tragedies.
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