…modelling pageant cancelled
TEN of the 19 Miss Tourism Zimbabwe finalists, who were scheduled to battle for honours at this year’s edition of the pageant scheduled for tomorrow at Montclair Hotel and Casino, Nyanga, were injured following an accident at the 13km peg along the Vumba-Mutare Road on Wednesday night.
BY KENNETH NYANGANI/WINSTONE ANTONIO
The contestants were in the resort town of Nyanga for a six-day boot camp ahead of the national finals, which has since been cancelled following the accident.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the accident which occurred on their way to Eden Lodge in Vumba.
“The driver of the bus lost control of the vehicle and it overturned once and landed on its left side, and 10 people were injured and are admitted at Murambi Gardens (Clinic) and their condition is stable,” he said.
A sombre atmosphere engulfed the Miss Tourism Zimbabwe (MTZ) boot following the accident in which models Prudence Chibvuri (28), Pauline Marere, Grace Karimupfumbi (22), Monalisa Tafirenyika (22), Rutendo Taruvinga (24), Maurine Gondwe (24), Mitchell Gondwe (24), Mitchell Mupasi (21), Wendy Maturi (23) and Maria Makelve were injured.
MTZ licence holder Sarah Mpofu-Sibanda yesterday said they were all in a stable condition.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“The finalists were scheduled to spend the night in Vumba after the day’s activities. It was unfortunate that on the way to Vumba, the bus developed a mechanical fault before it veered off the road.”
She thanked the driver for his “professionalism and heroic efforts” as he controlled the bus well to avoid a horrific crash.
In a statement, MTZ said the models were on their way to Eden Lodge, where they were booked to sleep ahead of their scheduled trip to Chimanimani to visit Cyclone Idai affected areas.
