Thupeyo Muleya

Beitbridge Bureau

SCORES of Zimbabweans travelling to South Africa in a cross border bus escaped death by a whisker when their bus was involved in a pile-up involving a truck and a light vehicle 11km from Makhado town in Limpopo province yesterday morning.

Spokesperson for the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety, Mr Matome Taueatsoala, said the bus driver was seriously injured in the crash and was ferried to the hospital.

“The Exo bus travelling from Zimbabwe to Gauteng was involved in the accident near Makhado, and only the bus driver, who was injured, was taken to the hospital,” said Mr Taueatsoala.

“The rest of the passengers escaped unhurt and they have found alternative transport to Gauteng.

“The serious accident occurred on the N1 North at the Witvlag turn-off involving a tanker, a cross-border bus and a hatchback vehicle.

He said the road was temporarily closed following the crash and advised motorists to reduce speed and drive with extreme caution since there are misty and rainy conditions in the area.

Mr Taueatsoala also said those planning to travel between Louis Trichardt and Musina, should consider to delay their trip since there was a severe traffic backlog in both northbound and southbound directions.

He said an alternative route was available, with those driving from Musina being advised to turn right onto R523 until Siloam, then turn right to N1 Withlag.

“Those travelling from Makhado towards Musina should turn right to Witvlag until the side junction R523, turn left until N1 Willispoort.”

The incident comes a few weeks after another Zimbabwean cross border bus plunged into a cliff outside Makhado, killing 44 people – 36 Zimbabweans and eight Malawians.