Inter Africa bus driver was reckless, survivors say after tragic accident

Survivors of the tragic Inter Africa bus accident on the Harare-Bulawayo Highway are sharing their harrowing experiences, revealing the chaos and fear that unfolded during the early morning crash. The accident, which occurred on December 8 at around 3:30 AM, resulted in the deaths of seven people and left 222 others injured.

One survivor, Sibonokuhle Nkomo, a mother of three, had boarded the bus with hopes of making her children’s Christmas special. Instead, she awoke to screams and confusion as the bus crashed. From her hospital bed at Gweru Provincial Hospital, she recounted, “I don’t know what happened, but what I know is that the driver was speeding.” Tragically, Sibonokuhle suffered severe injuries that led to the amputation of her left leg, leaving her future uncertain. Tearfully, she expressed her worries about how this change would affect her job: “I work in a shop in Filabusi, and my line of work involves travelling and standing. How am I going to do that now?”

Many survivors pointed to overcrowded seating as a factor that contributed to the injuries sustained during the crash. Joze Sanana, who was traveling to Bulawayo, noted that the cramped conditions made it difficult for passengers to escape injury. “I think the reason why almost all of the injured had fractured legs is because we were cramped up,” he said.

Charity Mhike was traveling with her four children and believes that moving two of her children to an empty seat on the safer side of the bus saved their lives. “I thank the Lord for giving me the wisdom to move my children,” she said. However, despite her quick thinking, one of her twins suffered fractures in both legs, and Charity herself also sustained a fractured left leg.

Witnesses and passengers agree that speeding played a crucial role in the accident. Joze mentioned that from Harare, many passengers were complaining about the lack of legroom while also noting that “the driver was going too fast.” Charity described the terrifying moment when the bus collided with a stationary haulage truck: “I heard a loud bang, then screams. It was chaos.”

As of now, twelve out of the 22 injured passengers have been discharged from hospitals, but survivors like Sibonokuhle face long-term challenges ahead. Her focus remains on her children’s well-being as she struggles with her new reality. “All I wanted was to make my children happy. Now, I don’t know how to go on,” she lamented.

The aftermath of this tragic incident has raised serious questions about safety regulations for public transport in Zimbabwe. Survivors have called for stricter enforcement of safety measures to prevent such accidents in the future. As families mourn their losses and others recover from injuries, there is a growing demand for accountability regarding transportation safety standards.

The community is rallying around those affected by this disaster, offering support and solidarity as they navigate their recovery journeys. The stories shared by survivors highlight not only their personal struggles but also the urgent need for improvements in public transport safety across Zimbabwe.

The Inter Africa bus accident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by travelers on Zimbabwe’s roads. As survivors recount their experiences and call for change, it is clear that more must be done to ensure passenger safety and prevent similar tragedies in the future.