16 Staff of Masvingo Mirror Involved in a Serious Road Accident

By Staff Writer

A devastating road accident occurred yesterday involving 16 employees of Masvingo Mirror who were travelling from a strategic planning workshop held at Nyuni Lodge in Masvingo. The commuter bus which was also carrying a one-month-old baby overturned three times near Mutimurefu Prison along the Masvingo-Mutare Road, causing serious injuries.

The victims were ferried to two different hospitals in Masvingo and are under medical treatment.

Among the victims are three bureau chiefs who were Alvina Chiwanika, Increase Gumbo, and Prisca Manyiwa-Masuku. Their injuries are said to be of a serious nature.

The one-month-old baby is reported to be safe whilst the mother is receiving treatment.

However, Masvingo Mirror ex-officio Chairman Advocate Rodgers Matsikidze and Vice Chairperson Virginia Takaona-Holmes expressed their gratitude to all the people who did a good job taking first aid and bringing the victims to the hospital.

These include: Sr Rosmery Pepukai and Sr Tandekile Gudoshava, senior nurses at Mutimhurefu prison hospital, for their invaluable first aid- David Cherirwe and his son Erasme Cherirwe, who stopped their way and ferried the wounded to the hospital through their own vehicle as well as Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa and Assistant Inspector Masauso Patinyu, and Sergeant Lloyd Masundire, for their visit to the hospital.

On the contrary, this case shows that road safety is very important and that more thorough investigations are required.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 1.3 million people die in car accidents annually, and the number of deaths in these countries accounts for 90% of the total deaths. Experts point out that a holistic approach to road safety should be taken into account, and the importance of elements such as road design and vehicle safety cannot be overemphasised.