A combi in Bulawayo collided with a haulage truck and a Honda fit in Harare collided with a train. At least 8 people have lost their lives and others injured in these horrific accidents collectively.
In Harare, two people were killed on the spot and three injured when a Honda Fit was ravaged by an oncoming train at a railway crossing along Chiremba Road in Hillside. The railway crossing has traffic lights which unfortunately have not been working for several years.
In Bulawayo, six people were killed on the spot and eight others hospitalized when a combi and a haulage truck collided at the intersection of Khami Road and Masiyephambili, close to the Nkulumane Complex. The combi rolled over several times and landed on the roof.
Both these accidents involve illegal forms of transport; the mshikashika (small cars used to ferry passengers at a fee) and the unlicensed combi. The government has been making efforts to ban unlicensed commuters on the road and encouraging people to use licensed ZUPCO vehicles.
However, there is a huge demand for transport and people often favour using unlicensed (go fast) transporters than waiting in long queues to secure a seat on a ZUPCO vehicle.