Own Correspondent|Two people died on the spot and several others were injured after a bus belonging to Shumba logistics rammed into the back of a truck just after the last tollgate towards Pretoria. The bus was traveling from Zimbabwe to Johannesburg in the early hours of Friday (today).
Shumba Logistics Public Relations Officer Mr Marshall Ndlela issued the following statement:
“Shumba Logistics Bus Company is saddened by the tragic loss of life that occurred when one of our buses got involved in an accident early this morning ( around 4am). This tragic accident happened at the last tollgate towards Pretoria.
We sadly lost our driver Bruce Mapfumo and a lady passenger whose name will be released in due course after her next of kin have been notified, we would like to pass our deepest heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
Bruce Mapfumo a highly experienced driver and as a company we are deeply pained by his death he was a dedicated worker and he loved his job he cared for passengers and we would also want to express our condolences to his family as a company we mourn with his family and we will endeavour to do the best we can to help the family in the difficult time.
From what we have been able to ascertain thus far with regards the accident it is said that a truck that was driving in front of the bus applied emergency brakes resulting in the bus driver ramming onto it from the back leading to the bus driver’s subsequent death on the spot. We have also ascertained that the lady passenger also died on the spot.
All the other passengers who were injured were quickly ferried to Tshwane and Steve Biko hospitals respectively where they were most them were treated and discharged. However, the co-driver and his assistant are still receiving treatment. Shumba Logistic would like to wish all those injured and traumatised by this unfortunate accident a speedy recovery.
As a transporting bus company we remain committed to offering the best service to our customers and we will do our utmost best to see to it that our staff remain best trained on all health and safety regulations on the road and alert at all times. Sadly we can not always mitigate for unfortunate accidents.
We condole with those who grieve as a result of the accident and we pray for peace and comfort. We also express our prayers and our message of speedy recovery to all those injured physically and emotionally. May God lead, thank you.”