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At least 18 people tragically lost their lives in a horrific minibus fire on Thursday, which occurred on a highway in southern Zimbabwe.
The incident took place along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge road, a crucial route linking Zimbabwe to South Africa, and has quickly become one of the deadliest accidents in recent months.
According to police spokesperson Paul Nyathi, the cause of the fire remains unclear as investigations are ongoing.
Meanwhile, images circulating online depict the minibus reduced to a charred skeleton, underscoring the devastating nature of the incident.
The minibus, part of the country’s heavily relied-upon privately-run transport system, commonly known as kombis, was transporting passengers along the busy highway. While these minibuses are a lifeline for many Zimbabweans, offering affordable transport, they have long been criticised for poor driving standards and overcrowding. The vehicles often carry more passengers than the legal limit, and many are unroadworthy, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.
The fire follows a series of deadly accidents on Zimbabwe’s roads, which are plagued by potholes and years of neglect.
Earlier this month, a similar tragedy struck when a woman and her five children were killed in a collision with a haulage truck on another highway connecting Zimbabwe and South Africa.
