Haulage truck accident survivors speak out

TWO passengers who survived the Rutenga accident which killed four people on the spot and injured three last Thursday morning have claimed the driver of the haulage truck was speeding when he lost control of the vehicle.

Chiedza Musvosvo (27) of Siski, and Sandra Maganyani (27) of Mutimurefu Prisons said they survived by the will of God and the events that led to the tragedy were still etched in their memories.

Musvosvo said she realised that she sustained a deep cut on the leg when she was transferred to Masvingo General Hospital.

Four people including the driver died on the spot, while three others were injured when a South Africa-bound haulage truck they were travelling in veered off the road before ramming into a huge Mopani tree along the Masvingo Beitbridge road.

The accident occurred at the 139 km peg at around 5.30am.

The bodies of deceased were taken to Neshuro Hospital mortuary for postmortem while the injured were rushed to the same hospital before they were transferred to Masvingo General Hospital.

Speaking from their hospital beds Musvosvo and Maganyani, all teachers said the driver of the truck was speeding and he fell asleep at times, which could be reason he failed to control the vehicle.

"The driver was speeding and he occasionally slept along the way. I saw him dosing but I was busy writing down what I wanted to buy from South Africa. I was going to South Africa to buy my merchandise for resell," she said.

"We were taken by surprise when we saw the car veering off the road, hitting a tree and overturning. We were six plus the driver in the vehicle. We got trapped and my legs were trapped under a metal. It took the fire brigade crew almost four hours to rescue us," said Musvosvo.

Ganyani said she sustained back injuries but the pain was subsiding and hoped they would be discharged from hospital soon.

"My condition and that of my friend, Chiedza is improving. I was in pain when I was transferred from Neshuro Hospital but now the situation is getting better. I think the driver slept and only got alert when the vehicle had swerved off the road.

His speed was also not safe but because there was no transport we thought we would arrive safely in Messina, South Africa where we wanted to do business," said Ganyani.