5 die in Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road accidents

FIVE people died and eight others were injured in three separate accidents that occurred along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway at the weekend.

Matabeleland North provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Siphiwe Makonese confirmed the accidents, which she blamed on speeding.

"The first accident happened at 82-kilometre peg at Insuza. The driver, Allen Mazhinji was driving a Honda Fit, carrying five passengers to Bulawayo. He was over-speeding and lost control," she said.

"He veered off the road and hit two trees before overturning once. A female adult and a girl died on the spot, while the other four survived. According to our report, they sustained head and eye injuries, while one of them complained of chest pains. They are admitted at Mpilo Central Hospital.

"The second one happened on the same afternoon at Lupote in Dete. The driver was also speeding in his Mazda Attenza to Bulawayo. He lost control and overturned before landing on the driver's side. He sustained serious head injuries and is still admitted at Hwange Colliery. The other passengers were also injured and are in hospital."

Makonese said the third accident was reported along the Victoria Falls-Hwange road stretch near Matetsi area yesterday morning, killing three people on the spot, while the driver was said to be in a critical condition.

Police expressed concern over the increase in road accidents not withstanding that the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe has rolled out massive road awareness campaigns throughout the country.