New law on over­load­ing on the cards

The Government is drafting new legislation aimed at curbing the dangerous practice of overloading schoolchildren in public transport vehicles following the tragic Gweru kombi fire that claimed the lives of seven primary school pupils.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo announced the proposed measures on Wednesday during an emotional memorial and send-off ceremony for the learners from Senga and Matongo primary schools who died in last week's horrific accident.

The ceremony, held at Gweru Sports Club, was attended by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, bereaved families, government officials, teachers and members of the public.

The tragedy occurred when a commuter omnibus carrying 32 pupils caught fire after a jerry can containing approximately nine litres of petrol, allegedly being carried by the conductor, exploded inside the vehicle.

The intensity of the blaze left authorities relying on DNA testing to identify the victims, as only charred remains were recovered from the burnt-out kombi.

Minister Moyo said the incident had exposed serious shortcomings in the regulation of learner transportation and highlighted the urgent need for stronger safety standards.

"This tragedy compels us to strengthen measures to safeguard our learners. Through a Whole-of-Government Approach involving the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, local authorities and other stakeholders, we are introducing enhanced policies and regulatory measures to improve the safety, oversight and accountability of learner transportation across the country," he said.

According to the minister, the proposed legislation will establish clear limits on the number of learners permitted in vehicles used for school transport and introduce tougher penalties for operators who violate safety regulations.

The reforms will also include stricter monitoring of vehicles transporting learners, enhanced enforcement of certificates of fitness, verification of insurance compliance, routine inspections and firm action against overloading.

Authorities also intend to prohibit the transportation of hazardous substances alongside learners.

"The safety of our learners is not negotiable. Every child has the right to travel to and from school in a safe, secure and properly regulated environment," Minister Moyo said.

"As the Government, we owe it to the memory of the young lives we have lost to ensure that meaningful reforms emerge from this tragedy and that lessons learned translate into stronger protection for all learners across Zimbabwe."

The minister urged schools that own buses to work closely with parents and communities to develop safer and more sustainable transport arrangements, reducing reliance on unsuitable public transport.

Of the 32 pupils who were on board the kombi at the time of the accident, 25 survived, most suffering minor injuries. Government has since mobilised psychosocial support services for the survivors and their families.

The pupils who lost their lives were identified as Alisha Loyo, Peter Tambo, Maengamhuru Thabo, Kith Makarange, Anotida Mawere, Faith Jangara and Junior Albert Muchenamakumbo.

Minister Moyo expressed gratitude to President Emmerson Mnangagwa for declaring the tragedy a State Disaster and granting State-assisted funerals to the affected families.

He said psychologists, counsellors, churches, schools and healthcare professionals had been mobilised to assist survivors and grieving relatives.

"We have deployed teams of psychologists from various provinces to strengthen these interventions, recognising that emotional healing requires sustained care and support," he said.

The tragedy has reignited debate over the safety of schoolchildren who rely on public transport, with parents, transport experts and education stakeholders calling for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations and greater investment in dedicated learner transport systems.

Many have argued that the deaths should serve as a turning point in efforts to improve the safety of school transport across the country and prevent similar tragedies in the future.