Beitbridge accident: Urban Connect bus had no route permit, driver used expired retest certificate
Harare: IT has emerged that the Urban Connect bus that was involved in an accident in Beitbridge had no route permit and the driver’s retest certificate expired four years ago,Express Mail Zim has learnt.
The accident claimed 25 lives and is a tragic reminder of the urgent need for improved road safety measures in Zimbabwe.
The Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) said they were worried about the regulatory oversight.
“We are deeply disturbed by the revelation that the Urban Connect bus involved in the accident had no route permit and the driver’s retest certificate had expired four years ago.
“This raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current safety protocols and the enforcement of traffic laws.
” It is unacceptable that a bus without proper documentation was allowed to operate, putting the lives of passengers at risk,” said PAZ president Tafadzwa Goliath .
He said government must take immediate action to address these concerns and ensure that all public transport operators adhere to strict safety standards.
“There is need to regularize the issuance of route permits, enforcing driver retesting, and implementing effective road safety measures,” he said.
He urged all stakeholders, including the government, transport operators, and law enforcement agencies, to work together to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
He also went on to convey condolences to the families of the deceased.
