Kombi accident victims named

Police have released the names of the eight people who died in an accident after a commuter omnibus they were travelling in burst its left rear tyre, veered off the road, overturned and rolled several times before landing on its wheels at the 46km peg along the Nembudziya-Sanyati Road on Sunday night.

The commuter omnibus had 19 people on board.

Acting Midlands Police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko identified the deceased as the driver of the vehicle, Frank Lupiya (45) of Pfupajena area in Chegutu, Forward Rugoto (24) of Mbuyamwenzi Village in Buhera, Modester Tashian (19), Clifford Chikowore (45), Edmore Gumbo whose age was not given, Patricia Verenga (38) and her daughter Tadiwa Maidza all of Mutsvuku village in Lower Gweru.

Insp Mahoko said the police are still to contact the next of kin of the other deceased person whose name has been withheld.

"We have managed to get hold of seven next of kins of the eight deceased people who died in an accident in Gokwe on Sunday. We are still to inform the next of kin of the other victim who died on his way to Sanyati Hospital," he said.

Insp Mahoko said the eight bodies were taken to Kadoma Provincial Hospital for post-mortem.

"Some of the 11 injured passengers who were taken to Kadoma hospital have since been treated and discharged," he said.

Insp Mahoko said the Nissan Caravan commuter omnibus was heading towards Kadoma when it was involved in the accident at around 7pm Sunday.