In a somber announcement, the government has declared the Beatrice horror crash that claimed 16 lives on the Harare-Masvingo highway in Beatrice to be a national disaster, a tragic event that has shocked the nation.
Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Honourable Daniel Garwe and Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honourable Felix Tapiwa Mhona, traveled to the accident site in Beatrice to inspect the scene and offer their condolences.
They then proceeded to Chivhu General Hospital to pay their respects to the families of the 16 victims, who were collecting the bodies of their loved ones.
Hon D Garwe expressed his sadness at the loss and conveyed his sincere condolences.
“I am saddened by this loss and sincerely send my condolences to the bereaved families,” he said.
Minister Garwe revealed that the amended statutory law will assist families of the 16 victims by providing funeral expenses and medical support, offering some comfort during this time of grief.
“Our role as the Ministry of Local Governance is to supervise the department of Civil Protection Department which intervine whenever there is a disaster, be it floods or accidents.
“This accident in terms of the Civil Protection Act, the President is allowed to declare it a national disaster, the government has now evoked the 32C of the Civil Protection Act to provide assistance to the bereaved families in terms of buying coffins and food that is required and make sure that the funeral processes are undertaken properly,” he said.
Honourable Mhona showed disatisification in drivers posing danger to human life by overspeeding, overloading and not abiding by road regulations.
“His Excellency has worked tirelessly to see that the roads are rehabilitated but we have seen that our drivers are so reckless at times and wonder what has been happening to us as a Nation”, he said.
He went on and thanked the President of Zimbabwe Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa for having people at heart and helping in times of needs such as this.
“I must hasten to say after the accident we had to brief the His Excellency President Mnangagwa on the accident and immediately he then directed the CPU to take corrective measure were assistance was given to the bereaved family and those who have been hospitalised,” said Hon Mhona.
Honourable Mhona went on and called for all stakeholders to work with the Ministry inorder to reduce loss of life on the roads.
“This then calls for the Ministry to revisit, whether we are starting from the driving schools, to VID and also to work closely with the police and we have the TSCZ that whenever we are using the roads we must respect the lives, the dignity of a human being must uphold us as a nation.
“To those who will be driving our public service vehicles and those using roads so that we come up with deterant measures so as to mitigate such kind of accidents.
“Innocent lives have been lost, we have 1year who lost his life and in some cases a family losing 4 family members at once,” he said.
Minister for State and Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East Senate Apollonia Munzverengi, Chief Mutekedza, ICT Minister Hon Matevera were present at the memorial service in Chivhu.
Hon Garwe and Hon Mhona later went on to Chitungwiza General Hospital to check on the victims of the road accidents.
The 8 victims were assured that the government will take care of the medical bills and they should focused on getting better.
The names of the deceased are Decision Maizvei
Elmond Ncube, Talent Rangwa, Joyce Mutsinzwa, Lister Banga, Godgiven Nyandoro, Edson Banga, Leeroy Kido, Elisha Jack, Kelly Kwenda, Tawananyasha, Lloyd Kido.
They are all from the St Angel’s Apostolic Sect in Epworth.
Story by Farirai Mutumburanzou
