Chitown Mayor Calls for National Disaster Status After Seke Road Crash
By Loyd Matare
Chitungwiza Mayor, Councillor Rosaria Mangoma has expressed deep sorrow and grief following the tragic road accident that claimed 17 lives at Hunyani Bridge along Seke Road early this morning.
“It is with profound sorrow and a deep sense of loss that I address the residents of Chitungwiza and the nation at large following this morning’s horrific accident along Seke Road at Hunyani Bridge,” said Mangoma in a statement.
“When I visited the scene with the Acting Town Clerk, Mr Japson Nemuseso, and some councillors, I was met with an image too painful to describe as emergency services worked tirelessly to retrieve the deceased and assist the injured,” she said.
ALSO READ: Chitown Mayor Commissions New ECD Ablution Block at Ndangariro Primary
“It was one of the most disturbing and traumatic scenes our community has witnessed.”
The crash, which involved a 30-tonne haulage truck and a commuter omnibus, also left several others injured.
Preliminary reports suggest a small vehicle may have triggered the accident, though full investigations are still underway.
Mayor Mangoma has since formally appealed to the government to declare the accident a national disaster, saying the move would help mobilise urgent resources for affected families.
“I am formally appealing to the Government of Zimbabwe to declare this accident a national disaster. Doing so will unlock vital resources towards assisting the bereaved in mourning their loved ones. We appeal for national support.
“In a short space of time, our community has endured the trauma of four serious road traffic accidents along Seke Road each one claiming precious lives, that stretch has become a death trap” she said.
The mayor called on road users to remain vigilant and prioritise safety.
“As we mourn the lives lost, I urge all motorists to exercise extreme caution on our roads. No journey is worth a life.”
“May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace.”
Meanwhile, authorities are continuing investigations into the cause of the crash amid growing calls for increased traffic enforcement and safety upgrades along the busy Seke Road corridor.
SEE PICTURES BELOW:
