TWO people died, while more than 10 were injured, some of them seriously, when a commuter omnibus veered off the road and overturned several times after police allegedly tried to stop it by throwing spikes on it this morning.
The injured were rushed to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital.
State media reports that the accident happened along Vumba Road near CMED where a commuter omnibus plying the Mutare-Chigodora route veered of the road and rolled while carrying passengers, among them school children.
Manicaland police spokesperson Inspector Nobert Muzondo confirmed the accident.
“Yes, it is true. The accident happened this morning, but we are still gathering details. We will duly inform you when we have all the relevant information,” said Inspector Muzondo.
One witness interviewed by The Manica Post, said: “I saw one dead body on the spot, but a number of people were seriously injured. The incident happened around 6.30am.”
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has launched another operation code-named ‘Respect Other Road Users’, targeting motorists who continue violating the traffic rules and regulations countrywide.
So far, police have arrested over 2 700 motorists during the ongoing operation.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the operation was continuing until there is sanity on the roads.
“On April 30, 2022, police arrested 1 079 more motorists throughout the country on day three of operation ‘Respect Other Road Users/ Remekedzai Vamwe Vanoshandisa Mugwagwa/Hloniphani Abanye Abasebenzisa Umgwaqo’, bringing the cumulative arrests to 2 704.
“Motorists are advised to adhere to road rules and regulations to ensure smooth traffic flow on the roads,” he said.
The crackdown comes after last week, at least 70 more drivers of pirate taxis and unregistered vehicles were arrested in Harare yesterday as the operation targeting them continues in and around the city with 459 cars now impounded.
So far, over 640 drivers of pirate taxis usually called mushikashika, unregistered cars, street kids controlling traffic and vendors operating at intersections have been arrested in Harare during the major police operation aimed at restoring order to the streets and de-congesting the city.