Zaka accident toll rises

ONE more person has died after the accident involving Zion Christian Church (ZCC) members at Pelilendava Hills in Zaka on Sunday, bringing the death toll to five.

Four people died on the spot after the bus they were travelling in failed to negotiate a curve before plunging into a valley.

Police national spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba yesterday confirmed the latest death after the accident that occurred at the 87-kilometre peg along the RoyChiredzi Road.

She said the fifth passenger died on admission at Chiredzi General Hospital.

“There was a Yutong Minibus which was travelling with church members from the Zion Christian Church, Mbungo Estates in Roy who were going to Chiredzi,” she said.

“At Pelilendava Business Centre, the driver failed to negotiate a curve and the bus rolled before landing on its roof in the valley.”

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said names of the deceased would be announced when their families had been notified.

She challenged bus drivers to approach blind spots on roads at reasonable speed.

“Our plea, especially to bus drivers, is for them to travel at reasonable speeds,” she said. “Some of the accidents we are recording can be avoided. Also those who overtake at blind spots must not do that, it causes accidents.”

Zaka District District Administrator, who is also the Civil Protection Unit chairman, Mr Ndeya Nyede, urged authorities to erect distinct road signs at Pelilendava to avoid continued loss of life.

“Pelilendava is a known black spot such that extreme precaution needs to be excised,” he said. “Human life is important. If the driver was not speeding at a known black spot the accident would have been avoided.”

Mr Nyede said distinct road sign-age would be important in warning drivers when approaching dangerous caves.