KWEKWE-based bus company Tombs Motorways has been accused of neglecting passengers who were injured when one of its buses was involved in a fatal accident along the Zvishavane-Shurugwi Highway last year.
by BLESSED MHLANGA
One of the passengers, Vusani Sibanda, has since approached his lawyers demanding compensation from the company for medical bills, pain and disability caused by the accident.
He claims the bus company neglected him while he was hospitalised, forcing him to meet his own medical bills.
Sibanda also claims that on May 26, when the accident, which left three dead, occurred, he also lost his luggage worth $500 which Tombs Motorways allegedly refused to compensate.
In a letter of demand, Sibanda’s lawyer Valentine Mutatu said his client had suffered damages of $8 800 owing to the accident and wants Tombs Motorways to pay.
“As a result of the accident, our client was seriously injured on the hand and he lost some of his property. He lost a box of tackies with 50 items whose market value is $500,” Mutatu wrote.
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“In addition, he has since paid $1 300 for medication for his hand injury and is likely to incur further specific costs. Our client has also suffered general damages of $7 000 in respect of pain.”
Tombs Motorways referred the matter to its insurers, Clarion Insurance.
On July 10, the insurer processed $1 000 for Sibanda, saying it was the maximum claim which the bus company was covered for and any further payments could only come directly from the company.
The claims officer, only identified as O Nyakwangwa, in an email to Mutatu, had asked for medical bills so that he could process the claims.
Sibanda said he had now gone back to Tombs, but had had no joy and was now in the process of approaching the courts.
Mutatu said his client was pursuing options available for him to get compensation, which included approaching the courts.
“We have tried to engage and settle out-of-court, but it appears they are not willing. So our client is now pursuing other options available for him which include litigation,” he said.
