16 Mirror journalists injured in kombi accident
By Auther Chimbgwa
In a tragic incident, 16 journalists from The Mirror suffered severe injuries when a commuter omnibus ferrying the scribes and support staff overturned three times at the 25km peg near Mutimurefu Prison along Masvingo-Mutare on Saturday.
The journalists were on their way from a planning workshop at Nyuni Lodge in Masvingo last Saturday.
Mirror consultant Matthew Takaona confirmed the unfortunate development in a press statement on Sunday.
“It is sad to announce a serious road accident involving 16 Mirror journalists and support staff travelling from a strategic planning workshop at Nyuni Lodge in Masvingo yesterday (Saturday),” Takaona said.
A commuter bus ferrying the 16 and a one-month-old baby overturned three times at the 25km peg near Mutimurefu Prison along Masvingo-Mutare road resulting in severe injuries.
The injured were admitted at two hospitals in Masvingo.
“Three of our bureau chiefs namely Increase Gumbo, Alvina Chiwaniku and Prisca Manyiwa-Masuku are admitted with serious injuries,” Takaona added.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa and his lieutenants were among some people who visited the injured at hospital.
Masvingo Mirror Board chairman, Advocate Rodgers Matsikidze and Vice Chairperson Virginia Takaona-Holmes expressed gratitude to all those who helped victims at the accident scene by rendering first aid and rushing the injured to hospital.
“In particular, the board wishes to acknowledge sisters Rosemary Pepukai and Tandekile Gudoshava who are both senior nurses at Mutimurefu Prison Hospital who were among the first to arrive and gave invaluable first aid,” he said.
David Charirwe and his son Erasmus abandoned their journey and used their vehicle to transport the injured to hospital, noted Takaona.
At the time of going to print, no fatalities had not yet been recorded.
