TWELVE people were killed, while several others were injured when a Kwekwe-bound kombi collided head-on with a bus about 20 km outside Gweru yesterday evening.

All the dead were in the kombi, which had its roof ripped off on impact. The accident occurred around 7pm not too far from the Gweru tollgate.

According to police officers at the scene, no one survived in the kombi, while a few people from the bus, owned by  Birdgreen Transport Pvt Ltd, were injured and ferried to Gweru Provincial Hospital.

Unconfirmed reports indicated the kombi was among a convoy of cars belonging to Kwekwe-based ZANU-PF politician and gold dealer Kandros Mugabe, and were coming from a funeral.

Witnesses described horrific scenes, with many blaming the bus for over-speeding.

“I boarded this bus from Kadoma, but all the way we were complaining of the speed.

“The driver then tried to overtake another bus on this curve resulting in the head-on collision with the oncoming kombi,” said Mrs Marvelous Marova.

Memory Jarazava from Kwekwe told ZOOMZimbabwe: “I witnessed this with my own eyes. It happened around 7pm. Some images you can never erase them from your memory. I’m so broken. I’m so devastated.”

Another witness, Mr Kelvin Zimuto said no one survived in the kombi.

“The driver of the bus I was travelling in is to blame. He was just speeding for nothing and imagine everyone in the kombi was crushed,” he mourned.

Last night, Police Officer Commanding Midlands Province, Commissioner Moses Magande, confirmed the accident and said investigations were underway.