Why has the West Nicholson accident not yet declared a national disaster?

President Mnangagwa has sent a message of condolence to families of 42 people who died on a Brooklyn Express bus which caught fire near West Nicholson in Matabeleland South Province on Thursday night but has not declared it a national disaster.

He wished a quick recovery to 26 others who escaped with various degrees of burns and indicated that Government was moving towards declaring the accident a national disaster.

"On behalf of the party, Zanu-PF, Government, and on my own behalf, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to all the families who have lost their loved ones in this latest road accident," said President Mnangagwa in a statement.

"In the same spirit, I wish all those injured and burnt in the accident speedy recovery. Government will move to declare this accident a national disaster so resources are availed to all families affected by this accident."

President Mnangagwa said the accident, which occurred barely a week after another accident involving buses in Rusape which claimed 46 lives, points to growing risks on the country's roads, requiring urgent and drastic interventions.

"What is heart-rendering about this latest accident is that combustible material was allowed onto the bus, thus causing a conflagration which entrapped, scalded and consumed innocent passengers," he said.

"What a painful experience and death!"

Forty-two people were killed, while 26 others escaped with various degrees of injuries

The President said the West Nicholson accident calls for a relook at traffic laws and traffic enforcement practices to prevent a recurrence of such accidents.

"As before, I urge the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development to use the two accidents which have occurred hard on the heels of each other to take appropriate measures which comprehensively deal with this growing menace on our roads," he said.