CONFUSION was the order of the day at a mobile voter registration
site in Pumula, as some prospective voters were being turned away for
failure to produce proof of residence documents.
Report by Pamela Mhlanga
Recently the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) announced that it
was waiving the requirements that prospective voters provide proof of
residence and instead said they would provide affidavits confirming
their places of residence.
Zec said this would help ensure that no one was turned away from registering as a voter.
However, some residents of Pumula claimed that they were still being turned away and were now confused as to what to do.
One Pumula resident, Mzobanzi Moyo, said the Zec officials demanded
his proof of residence and he was turned away after failing to provide
the required documents.
He said he was not given an option to sign an affidavit.
Sidanisile Moyo, who managed to register, said the Zec officials had demanded that she produce proof of residence.
“I have registered for the elections. I was not turned away because I
came prepared with my proof of residence that the officials required,”
she said.
A Zec official insisted that proof of residence was required, saying
they did not have the affidavits that had recently been approved by
Cabinet.
“We require residents to produce proof of residence such as water
bills and if one is a tenant that person has to produce a written letter
from the owner of the house,” the official, who spoke on condition of
anonymity, said.
A male guard who was at Pumula Hall assisting applicants with the
voter registration requirements told them that proof of residence was
required before they got into the hall to register.
“Yes, proof of residence is required when you are registering, I hope
you have it,” he replied to one resident, Kenneth Ndlovu, who had
quizzed him over the requirement.
An affidavit form is set to be gazetted this week, which allows
people who do not have proof of residence documentation to swear before a
commissioner of oaths what their address is. A number of people had
claimed they were lodgers and could not get the required proof of
residence.
Zec spokesperson Shupikai Mashereni was said to be in meetings throughout yesterday and could not be reached for comment.
http://www.newsday.co.zw/2013/05/14/voter-registration-in-shambles/
Friday, 16 August 2013
JONATHAN MOYO UNDER FIRE
THE MDC-T has hit back at Tsholotsho North MP Jonathan Moyo, saying
his Zanu PF party should not expect votes from the people of
Matabeleland, as it had failed to provide redress for the victims of the
Gukurahundi massacres of the 1980s.
Report Nduduzo Tshuma/ Pamela Mhlanga
Moyo, believed to be a Zanu PF strategist, drew the ire of the MDC-T after he said in an interview with a local paper that the people of Matabeleland should evaluate their relationship with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s party.
MDC-T deputy organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe said his party had gained so much popularity and was the only hope for Matabeleland, which had been made “economically redundant by a discriminatory distribution of resources to the region”.
“It is astonishing for Jonathan Moyo to expect the people of Matabeleland to be sympathetic to Zanu PF after the Gukurahundi genocide and no efforts of reconciliation having been attempted since.
“Moreover, Matabeleland still remains economically redundant because of a discriminatory distribution of resources to the region,” Bhebhe charged.
The Tsholotsho North Zanu PF MP had said the MDC-T had not done anything for the region in 14 years of existence and it was futile for the people of Matabeleland to expect anything from the party.
“For the past 14 years, which Jonathan (Moyo) highlights, the MDC has continually fought for this cause, which it is confident will be attained come the elections this year,” Bhebhe said.
Ironically, in the 2008 harmonised elections, the MDC-T did not field a candidate for Tsholotsho North and instead asked its supporters to vote for Moyo as an independent after he had been fired from Zanu PF.
After winning the seat, Moyo subsequently applied for re-admission into Zanu PF. He was re-admitted in 2010 and was later appointed into the Politburo.
The Mthwakazi Youth Leaders Joint Resolution (MYLJR) yesterday also lashed out at the Zanu PF politburo member, labelling him “a wolf in sheepskin”.
MYLJR spokesperson Mqondisi Moyo said the people of Matabeleland were not going to take anything coming from Moyo seriously concerning the issues affecting the people of Matabeleland.
“Jonathan Moyo came as a wolf in sheepskin to people of Tsholotsho when he told them that he had left Zanu PF because of a number of the party’s failures,” he said. “He pretended as if he had the needs of the people of Tsholotsho at heart while he was pursuing his individual interests.”
http://www.newsday.co.zw/2013/05/14/jonathan-moyo-under-fire/
Report Nduduzo Tshuma/ Pamela Mhlanga
Moyo, believed to be a Zanu PF strategist, drew the ire of the MDC-T after he said in an interview with a local paper that the people of Matabeleland should evaluate their relationship with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s party.
MDC-T deputy organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe said his party had gained so much popularity and was the only hope for Matabeleland, which had been made “economically redundant by a discriminatory distribution of resources to the region”.
“It is astonishing for Jonathan Moyo to expect the people of Matabeleland to be sympathetic to Zanu PF after the Gukurahundi genocide and no efforts of reconciliation having been attempted since.
“Moreover, Matabeleland still remains economically redundant because of a discriminatory distribution of resources to the region,” Bhebhe charged.
The Tsholotsho North Zanu PF MP had said the MDC-T had not done anything for the region in 14 years of existence and it was futile for the people of Matabeleland to expect anything from the party.
“For the past 14 years, which Jonathan (Moyo) highlights, the MDC has continually fought for this cause, which it is confident will be attained come the elections this year,” Bhebhe said.
Ironically, in the 2008 harmonised elections, the MDC-T did not field a candidate for Tsholotsho North and instead asked its supporters to vote for Moyo as an independent after he had been fired from Zanu PF.
After winning the seat, Moyo subsequently applied for re-admission into Zanu PF. He was re-admitted in 2010 and was later appointed into the Politburo.
The Mthwakazi Youth Leaders Joint Resolution (MYLJR) yesterday also lashed out at the Zanu PF politburo member, labelling him “a wolf in sheepskin”.
MYLJR spokesperson Mqondisi Moyo said the people of Matabeleland were not going to take anything coming from Moyo seriously concerning the issues affecting the people of Matabeleland.
“Jonathan Moyo came as a wolf in sheepskin to people of Tsholotsho when he told them that he had left Zanu PF because of a number of the party’s failures,” he said. “He pretended as if he had the needs of the people of Tsholotsho at heart while he was pursuing his individual interests.”
http://www.newsday.co.zw/2013/05/14/jonathan-moyo-under-fire/
AACZ VOW TO SUPPORT MUGABE
THE Association of Apostolic Churches in Zimbabwe (AACZ) yesterday
pledged its support for President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF and rebuked
prophets prophesying death of the veteran politician.
Pamela Mhlanga/ Silas Nkala
The association said it had also composed a song lauding Mugabe for his “good deeds”.
In an interview on the sidelines of the association’s meeting at a hotel in Bulawayo, AACZ president Bishop Tsungai Vushe said: “Those who claim that we are against Zanu PF are lying because we do not have a single problem with the party. Zanu PF is not abusing us. For example we support what the president(Mugabe) says about homosexuals being worse than pigs and dogs and we do not want to be led by someone who supports homosexuality.”
Vushe said as an association they must not be forced to vote for a certain party because they had a right to choose who to vote for.
He added: “The prophets who prophesy about when the President will die don’t know what they are saying because they were not there when the President was going through all struggles to attain independence for the country.”
He said the association had also released a song on compact disc titled Mauya Baba praising, thanking and honouring Mugabe for his “good deeds”.
Earlier, AACZ members took to the streets of Bulawayo’s central business district demonstrating against the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) for failing to grant Apostolic sect churches stands for the construction of their churches, but merely banned open air worship.
AACZ Bulawayo provincial chairperson Josiah Ndlovu said the local authority either rejected the apostolic churches’ applications for stands or delayed to respond which frustrated them so much.
“We are sick and tired of being regarded as churches that worship in the bushes or mountains,” he said. “We want buildings so as to earn respect, but the city council is not granting us stands.”
AACZ national spokesperson Abisha Matsika said it was surprising that BCC was giving out stands to other churches and some now had up to four stands in one location, but sidelined apostolic churches.
“If the city council refuses to listen to us, we will continue worshipping under trees, on mountains and near burst sewers and that will be a threat to the environment as lack of hygiene will be a health threat,” he said. “ All we want is the freedom to worship in respectable places such as buildings.”
But Bulawayo mayor Thaba Moyo yesterday said the matter would be looked into once the association formally submitted its complaint to council.
“That is the first time I am hearing that their applications for stands are rejected,” he said.
“However, it is such a positive move that they finally realise that it is wrong to worship under trees and on mountains.We will look into their complaint.”
Meanwhile, Zanu PF politburo member Saviour Kasukuwere yesterday pledged 600 bags of cement towards the construction of Guta Ra Mwari (Zvimiso) Church building in Mpopoma, Bulawayo.
This came at a time the party has intensified its membership drive targeting youths and church organisations across the country ahead of the harmonised elections likely this year.
Addressing Guta RaMwari (Zvimiso) members in Bulawayo, Kasukuwere said: “I met some of your leaders at a rally here in Bulawayo and they asked me to come here to get the power to prosper and get support from the church. I was born in the Johanne Marange Church, an indigenous church like Guta RaMwari and these are our own churches. We must support them and also get their support. We cannot look for support from foreign churches when we have our own indigenous churches.”
Kasukuwere, who is also Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment minister, said Zanu PF supported all indigenous churches, but was asking for their support as well.
“We have 100% support from the leaders of Guta RaMwari (Zvimiso) and today I promise that I will bring 600 bags of cement for the construction of this church. I do this to thank the church for being organised and for the support we get from it.”
http://www.newsday.co.zw/2013/02/04/aacz-vow-to-support-mugabe/
Pamela Mhlanga/ Silas Nkala
The association said it had also composed a song lauding Mugabe for his “good deeds”.
In an interview on the sidelines of the association’s meeting at a hotel in Bulawayo, AACZ president Bishop Tsungai Vushe said: “Those who claim that we are against Zanu PF are lying because we do not have a single problem with the party. Zanu PF is not abusing us. For example we support what the president(Mugabe) says about homosexuals being worse than pigs and dogs and we do not want to be led by someone who supports homosexuality.”
Vushe said as an association they must not be forced to vote for a certain party because they had a right to choose who to vote for.
He added: “The prophets who prophesy about when the President will die don’t know what they are saying because they were not there when the President was going through all struggles to attain independence for the country.”
He said the association had also released a song on compact disc titled Mauya Baba praising, thanking and honouring Mugabe for his “good deeds”.
Earlier, AACZ members took to the streets of Bulawayo’s central business district demonstrating against the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) for failing to grant Apostolic sect churches stands for the construction of their churches, but merely banned open air worship.
AACZ Bulawayo provincial chairperson Josiah Ndlovu said the local authority either rejected the apostolic churches’ applications for stands or delayed to respond which frustrated them so much.
“We are sick and tired of being regarded as churches that worship in the bushes or mountains,” he said. “We want buildings so as to earn respect, but the city council is not granting us stands.”
AACZ national spokesperson Abisha Matsika said it was surprising that BCC was giving out stands to other churches and some now had up to four stands in one location, but sidelined apostolic churches.
“If the city council refuses to listen to us, we will continue worshipping under trees, on mountains and near burst sewers and that will be a threat to the environment as lack of hygiene will be a health threat,” he said. “ All we want is the freedom to worship in respectable places such as buildings.”
But Bulawayo mayor Thaba Moyo yesterday said the matter would be looked into once the association formally submitted its complaint to council.
“That is the first time I am hearing that their applications for stands are rejected,” he said.
“However, it is such a positive move that they finally realise that it is wrong to worship under trees and on mountains.We will look into their complaint.”
Meanwhile, Zanu PF politburo member Saviour Kasukuwere yesterday pledged 600 bags of cement towards the construction of Guta Ra Mwari (Zvimiso) Church building in Mpopoma, Bulawayo.
This came at a time the party has intensified its membership drive targeting youths and church organisations across the country ahead of the harmonised elections likely this year.
Addressing Guta RaMwari (Zvimiso) members in Bulawayo, Kasukuwere said: “I met some of your leaders at a rally here in Bulawayo and they asked me to come here to get the power to prosper and get support from the church. I was born in the Johanne Marange Church, an indigenous church like Guta RaMwari and these are our own churches. We must support them and also get their support. We cannot look for support from foreign churches when we have our own indigenous churches.”
Kasukuwere, who is also Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment minister, said Zanu PF supported all indigenous churches, but was asking for their support as well.
“We have 100% support from the leaders of Guta RaMwari (Zvimiso) and today I promise that I will bring 600 bags of cement for the construction of this church. I do this to thank the church for being organised and for the support we get from it.”
http://www.newsday.co.zw/2013/02/04/aacz-vow-to-support-mugabe/
ITS WITCHCRAFT,NOT SATANISM
THE grandmother of an Entumbane High School pupil, who collapsed on
Tuesday and allegedly sparked a mass hysteria among other students who
sought to help her, yesterday said she was shocked by the incident and
dismissed claims that her granddaughter was linked to the Satanism sect.
Report by Pamela Mhlanga
She said the girl started facing unusual problems after she was awarded a United States scholarship in December last year and she suspects the predicament of the 15-year-old girl to be a result of witchcraft from jealous people.
The girl, who stays with the grandmother in Njube, reportedly collapsed in class after she was allegedly found with a book believed to be linked to a Satanic sect.
When the girl fainted, seven other pupils who tried to assist her also reportedly followed suit and collapsed one after the other.
The grandmother, who cannot be identified to protect the minor’s identity, said the child was intelligent until she got the award.
“It pains and angers me as a parent to hear all the allegations that my granddaughter is possessed by some evil spirits which have affected other pupils in the school,” she said.
“I am telling you the truth that she is innocent, she has never touched any evil charms. I, her grandmother, has never applied any muti for her to pass in class.”
The grandmother said the girl, who was from a family of academics, possessed amazing academic capabilities which culminated in her receiving the award.
“She is also a prefect at school and she frequently presented in front of her classmates, but since the scholarship award, she now faints whenever she touches a book,” the grandmother said.
“Maybe it emanated from somewhere or from some individuals, but not from my granddaughter as she is innocent. The school can blame her and even chase her away, but only God knows the truth and he will vindicate her.”
A close relative said the girl was taken to a prophet on Wednesday who told the family that the girl was possessed by an evil spirit.
“The prophet said she needs to be cleansed to fight the demon which torments her and that will be done on Sunday,” the relative said.
Bulawayo Provincial education director Dan Moyo yesterday said he hoped the matter would be resolved soon.
http://www.newsday.co.zw/2013/03/08/its-witchcraft-not-satanism-grandma/
Report by Pamela Mhlanga
She said the girl started facing unusual problems after she was awarded a United States scholarship in December last year and she suspects the predicament of the 15-year-old girl to be a result of witchcraft from jealous people.
The girl, who stays with the grandmother in Njube, reportedly collapsed in class after she was allegedly found with a book believed to be linked to a Satanic sect.
When the girl fainted, seven other pupils who tried to assist her also reportedly followed suit and collapsed one after the other.
The grandmother, who cannot be identified to protect the minor’s identity, said the child was intelligent until she got the award.
“It pains and angers me as a parent to hear all the allegations that my granddaughter is possessed by some evil spirits which have affected other pupils in the school,” she said.
“I am telling you the truth that she is innocent, she has never touched any evil charms. I, her grandmother, has never applied any muti for her to pass in class.”
The grandmother said the girl, who was from a family of academics, possessed amazing academic capabilities which culminated in her receiving the award.
“She is also a prefect at school and she frequently presented in front of her classmates, but since the scholarship award, she now faints whenever she touches a book,” the grandmother said.
“Maybe it emanated from somewhere or from some individuals, but not from my granddaughter as she is innocent. The school can blame her and even chase her away, but only God knows the truth and he will vindicate her.”
A close relative said the girl was taken to a prophet on Wednesday who told the family that the girl was possessed by an evil spirit.
“The prophet said she needs to be cleansed to fight the demon which torments her and that will be done on Sunday,” the relative said.
Bulawayo Provincial education director Dan Moyo yesterday said he hoped the matter would be resolved soon.
http://www.newsday.co.zw/2013/03/08/its-witchcraft-not-satanism-grandma/
POLICE BLOCK MDCT,MDC RALLIES
POLICE in Gwanda have cancelled campaign rallies for the two MDC
formations, giving first preference to President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu
PF, in a move that has irked the rival political parties.
Nqobile Bhebhe / Pamela Mhlanga
Mugabe, who has embarked on a countrywide campaign to drum up support for his re-election bid in the face of stiff competiton, is due in Gwanda on Saturday.
Both MDC formations had planned to separately use Pelandala Stadium, where Mugabe will hold his rally.
Officials from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC-T Gwanda office had booked the venue and had been granted clearance by police to hold the rally.
But police later cancelled the clearance, on grounds that Mugabe wanted to use the venue. MDC-T provincial chairman Watchy Sibanda yesterday confirmed the development.
“We had been granted clearance for Pelandaba Stadium, but police later said Welshman Ncube had booked before us,” Sibanda said.
“However, police later changed and said Mugabe will be in Gwanda for his rally at Pelandaba meaning we cannot use it.”
Sibanda said police further refused to sanction a Ntalale rally, which the party had suggested as an alternative venue.
Ntalale is about 60km from Gwanda.
“Police said they don’t have manpower to deploy at our Ntalale rally which was an alternative to Pelandaba.
“To us this is a deliberate ploy derail or Matabeleland campaigns,” Sibanda said.
Nkankezi, in Insiza North has now been suggested as an option.
Officials from the Ncube-led MDC yesterday said they could not secure Pelandaba Stadium due to Mugabe’s rally.
The MDC cancelled its rallies which were set for Beitbridge on July 18 and Gwanda’s Pelandaba Stadium the following day after the party was told that Zanu PFhad booked the same venues to hold its rallies.
Former Gwanda mayor and aspiring MDC candidate for Ward 10 Lionel De Necker yesterday told Southern Eye the development was frustrating and undemocratic.
“We could not secure the place for the 20th as we understand the venue was booked before (by Zanu PF),” he said.
“We only saw in the State newspapers that the President will be there (in Gwanda).”
According to Mugabe’s schedule, he will be in Lupane on Friday, Gwanda on Saturday and Bulawayo on July 27.
Matabeleland South Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Christopher Ngwenya refused to comment and referred all questions to the national police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi.
Nyathi could not be reached for comment by the time of going to print.
http://www.southerneye.co.zw/2013/07/17/police-block-mdc-t-mdc-rallies/
Nqobile Bhebhe / Pamela Mhlanga
Mugabe, who has embarked on a countrywide campaign to drum up support for his re-election bid in the face of stiff competiton, is due in Gwanda on Saturday.
Both MDC formations had planned to separately use Pelandala Stadium, where Mugabe will hold his rally.
Officials from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC-T Gwanda office had booked the venue and had been granted clearance by police to hold the rally.
But police later cancelled the clearance, on grounds that Mugabe wanted to use the venue. MDC-T provincial chairman Watchy Sibanda yesterday confirmed the development.
“We had been granted clearance for Pelandaba Stadium, but police later said Welshman Ncube had booked before us,” Sibanda said.
“However, police later changed and said Mugabe will be in Gwanda for his rally at Pelandaba meaning we cannot use it.”
Sibanda said police further refused to sanction a Ntalale rally, which the party had suggested as an alternative venue.
Ntalale is about 60km from Gwanda.
“Police said they don’t have manpower to deploy at our Ntalale rally which was an alternative to Pelandaba.
“To us this is a deliberate ploy derail or Matabeleland campaigns,” Sibanda said.
Nkankezi, in Insiza North has now been suggested as an option.
Officials from the Ncube-led MDC yesterday said they could not secure Pelandaba Stadium due to Mugabe’s rally.
The MDC cancelled its rallies which were set for Beitbridge on July 18 and Gwanda’s Pelandaba Stadium the following day after the party was told that Zanu PFhad booked the same venues to hold its rallies.
Former Gwanda mayor and aspiring MDC candidate for Ward 10 Lionel De Necker yesterday told Southern Eye the development was frustrating and undemocratic.
“We could not secure the place for the 20th as we understand the venue was booked before (by Zanu PF),” he said.
“We only saw in the State newspapers that the President will be there (in Gwanda).”
According to Mugabe’s schedule, he will be in Lupane on Friday, Gwanda on Saturday and Bulawayo on July 27.
Matabeleland South Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Christopher Ngwenya refused to comment and referred all questions to the national police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi.
Nyathi could not be reached for comment by the time of going to print.
http://www.southerneye.co.zw/2013/07/17/police-block-mdc-t-mdc-rallies/
APOSTOLIC ASSOCIATION "PAINED" BY MUGABE'S CONTINUOUS LOSS
THE Association of Apostolic Churches in Zimbabwe (AACZ) has pledged
to ratchet up support for President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF ahead of
harmonised elections likely to be held this year following reports that
the party’s support in Matabeleland continues to plummet.
Report by Pamela Mhlanga
“We are pained by the fact that the President is not receiving much support from Matabeleland although he is supposed to be respected just like any other king and ruler of a land,” AACZ Matabeleland chairperson Josiah Ndlovu told NewsDay last week.
Ndlovu said the association had started engaging other apostolic churches in Matabeleland to rally behind Zanu PF.
“We support the President and the party as a whole. The kings of the land must be supported and respected such that even if something happens tomorrow or the future looks uncertain, people would still remember fondly their kings. The President would be remembered as a leader who brought land and independence for his people.”
Last month during the AACZ meeting at a local hotel in Bulawayo, the association pledged its support for Mugabe and Zanu PF and rebuked church leaders who have prophesied the death of the veteran politician.
Zanu PF has not won a seat in Bulawayo since 2000 although it managed to get isolated seats in Matabeleland South and North. The party has targeted churches across the country in an effort to win worshippers’ votes during this year’s harmonised elections.
http://www.newsday.co.zw/2013/03/04/apostolic-association-pained-by-mugabes-continuous-loss/
Report by Pamela Mhlanga
“We are pained by the fact that the President is not receiving much support from Matabeleland although he is supposed to be respected just like any other king and ruler of a land,” AACZ Matabeleland chairperson Josiah Ndlovu told NewsDay last week.
Ndlovu said the association had started engaging other apostolic churches in Matabeleland to rally behind Zanu PF.
“We support the President and the party as a whole. The kings of the land must be supported and respected such that even if something happens tomorrow or the future looks uncertain, people would still remember fondly their kings. The President would be remembered as a leader who brought land and independence for his people.”
Last month during the AACZ meeting at a local hotel in Bulawayo, the association pledged its support for Mugabe and Zanu PF and rebuked church leaders who have prophesied the death of the veteran politician.
Zanu PF has not won a seat in Bulawayo since 2000 although it managed to get isolated seats in Matabeleland South and North. The party has targeted churches across the country in an effort to win worshippers’ votes during this year’s harmonised elections.
http://www.newsday.co.zw/2013/03/04/apostolic-association-pained-by-mugabes-continuous-loss/
BUS ACCIDENT KILLS 12, 46 INJURED
TWELVE people died while 45 others were injured when the bus they
were travelling in sideswiped a road repairs truck belonging to Group
Five road construction firm at the 54km peg along the Gweru-Bulawayo
road yesterday afternoon, police reported.
REPORT BY PAMELA MHLANGA
The driver of the truck was also injured bringing the number of casualties to 46.
Deputy traffic police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Luckmore Chakanza told NewsDay 10 people perished on the spot while two others died on admission at the Gweru Provincial Hospital. The accident occurred at about 12:45pm.
Chakanza said the bus belonging to Zebron Express and the Mercedes-Benz truck were both travelling from Gweru towards Bulawayo.
“The circumstances surrounding the accident are that the driver of the bus was travelling towards Bulawayo with 58 passengers on board and when he approached the 54km peg, he was signalled to stop at a construction spot where the Group Five company employees were working,” Chakanza said.
“The driver of the bus failed to stop and tried to overtake the truck which was stationery as it had complied with the stop signal.
“In the process the bus sideswiped the truck and as a result of the impact the right side of the bus was ripped off inflicting injuries to passengers who were sitting on that side of the bus.”
He said the truck veered off the road and overturned injuring the driver in the process.
Chakanza said the injured were taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital.
http://www.newsday.co.zw/2013/02/21/bus-accident-kills-12-46-injured/
REPORT BY PAMELA MHLANGA
The driver of the truck was also injured bringing the number of casualties to 46.
Deputy traffic police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Luckmore Chakanza told NewsDay 10 people perished on the spot while two others died on admission at the Gweru Provincial Hospital. The accident occurred at about 12:45pm.
Chakanza said the bus belonging to Zebron Express and the Mercedes-Benz truck were both travelling from Gweru towards Bulawayo.
“The circumstances surrounding the accident are that the driver of the bus was travelling towards Bulawayo with 58 passengers on board and when he approached the 54km peg, he was signalled to stop at a construction spot where the Group Five company employees were working,” Chakanza said.
“The driver of the bus failed to stop and tried to overtake the truck which was stationery as it had complied with the stop signal.
“In the process the bus sideswiped the truck and as a result of the impact the right side of the bus was ripped off inflicting injuries to passengers who were sitting on that side of the bus.”
He said the truck veered off the road and overturned injuring the driver in the process.
Chakanza said the injured were taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital.
http://www.newsday.co.zw/2013/02/21/bus-accident-kills-12-46-injured/
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