News / National
Kombi accident injures 10
13 Jan 2014 at 14:40hrs | Views
At least 10 people were injured when two commuter omnibuses were involved in an accident near Mashambanzou Care Trust along Simon Mazorodze Road in Harare.
One of the drivers is 23 years old, two years below the legal age for driving a public vehicle.
The two omnibuses were traveling from Glen Norah to the city centre when the accident took place at around half past six Monday morning.
According to eye witnesses, the accident was caused by a third commuter omnibus that encroached onto another in the outer lane to pick up a passenger.
The third driver is reported to have but immediately fled the scene after the other two crashed.
"The driver who cut into the other two fled. The commuter omnibus drivers are really becoming too much of a menace on the roads," an eyewitness said.
A visibly shaken Ndaizivei Manyatelo, who was driving one of the vehicles, said his commuter bus was stationary on the road side when it was rammed into from behind, resulting in the injury of seven people in it.
"I felt the impact from behind but it was caused by a driver of another omnibus who wanted to pick up commuters who were flagging him," said Manyatelo.
The other driver, Principal Dube, said he crashed while trying to avoid being side-swiped by another commuter bus. Three passengers in his vehicle were injured.
"A commuter omnibus cut me and I applied emergency brakes, which forced me to ram into the vehicle that was in front of me."
Dube is only 23 years and acquired his driver's licence on the 24th of August 2013. According to the law, commuter omnibus drivers should be at least 25 years.
Asked by the ZBC News why he was breaking the law, he said all he is concerned about is earning a living.
"Yes I am 23, but I didn't know I am prohibited from driving. I am trying to make ends meet," he said.
The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe Managing Director Obio Chinyere said it is illegal for a person under the age of 25 to drive a public service vehicle, adding a five years driving experience and a defensive driving course are mandatory.
"The driver should also have gone for a re-test so these are the requirements and owners of commute omnibuses should ensure that their drivers meet the requirements."
Most accidents that have occurred on the country's roads have been attributed to human error.
One of the drivers is 23 years old, two years below the legal age for driving a public vehicle.
The two omnibuses were traveling from Glen Norah to the city centre when the accident took place at around half past six Monday morning.
According to eye witnesses, the accident was caused by a third commuter omnibus that encroached onto another in the outer lane to pick up a passenger.
The third driver is reported to have but immediately fled the scene after the other two crashed.
"The driver who cut into the other two fled. The commuter omnibus drivers are really becoming too much of a menace on the roads," an eyewitness said.
A visibly shaken Ndaizivei Manyatelo, who was driving one of the vehicles, said his commuter bus was stationary on the road side when it was rammed into from behind, resulting in the injury of seven people in it.
"I felt the impact from behind but it was caused by a driver of another omnibus who wanted to pick up commuters who were flagging him," said Manyatelo.
"A commuter omnibus cut me and I applied emergency brakes, which forced me to ram into the vehicle that was in front of me."
Dube is only 23 years and acquired his driver's licence on the 24th of August 2013. According to the law, commuter omnibus drivers should be at least 25 years.
Asked by the ZBC News why he was breaking the law, he said all he is concerned about is earning a living.
"Yes I am 23, but I didn't know I am prohibited from driving. I am trying to make ends meet," he said.
The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe Managing Director Obio Chinyere said it is illegal for a person under the age of 25 to drive a public service vehicle, adding a five years driving experience and a defensive driving course are mandatory.
"The driver should also have gone for a re-test so these are the requirements and owners of commute omnibuses should ensure that their drivers meet the requirements."
Most accidents that have occurred on the country's roads have been attributed to human error.
Source - zbc
