Phil and Pats-Tenda accident death toll has risen from 4 to 5 as one of the 14 injured victims succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.
Zimbabwe Republic Police Spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi announced the update in a Press Statement on Saturday, 8 June 2024.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reports that one of the 14 injured victims succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals bringing the death toll to five,” said Commissioner Nyathi.
Commissioner Nyathi said two of the five victims were identified by their next of kin.
“Two of the victims were identified as by their next of keen as: Jerina Nhapi (38), a female adult of Buhera and Beatrice Chihabvu (38) a female adult of Rusape Hospital,” Comm Nyathi said.
He also announced that all the victims who died in the road traffic accident have all been identified.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police released the names of the other three victims earlier on Friday.
They are Kennedy Ngoshi (40), a male adult of Zengeza, Chitungwiza, Plaxedes Kasambwa (36), a female adult of Nyabadza, Rusape, and Monica Katena (54), a female adult of Kuwadzana Extension, Harare.
Comm. Nyathi further announced that the Freightliner truck driver, surrendered himself to the Police on 07 June.
“Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms that the Freightliner truck driver, Pardon Tichaona Sungai (31) surrendered himself to the Police on 7 June 2024 for the due process of the law to take its course,” read the statement.
Police said the accident occurred when a Freightliner truck, which was travelling towards Marondera and occupying the outer lane, turned right onto the inner lane, in front of a Tenda bus which was travelling towards Marondera with 56 passengers on board.
The Tenda Bus, which was about to overtake the haulage truck, hit the trailer of the truck before swerving into the oncoming traffic lane.
As a result, the Tenda Bus collided with a Zhong Tong bus owned by Phils and Pats Bus Services which was travelling towards Harare with 25 passengers on board.
Meanwhile, Phil and Pats Pvt Ltd, one of the bus companies that was involved in the accident issued a Press Statement and expressed their condolences to the bereaved families.
“The recent road traffic accident along the Harare-Mutare highway involving one of our Buses that collided with Tenda bus claiming the lives of four and injuring many others.
“We express our condolences to the victims and their families,” read the statement.
Phil and Pats Pvt Ltd further announced that they will assist the families of the deceased and injured with guidance of the authorities.
“We have initiated processes to assist families of the deceased and injured with the guidance of the authorities.
“Our officials have visited some of the affected families and individuals, a process that is ongoing,” said Phil and Pats.
The accident occurred at the 32-kilometre peg along Harare-Mutare Road near Mutangadura on Thursday, 06 June 2024 at around 12.50 PM.
The ZRP have implored drivers to be responsible on the roads, prioritise the safety of travellers and promote road safety all the time.
Story by Jeremiah Gora
