BULAWAYO mayor David Coltart yesterday expressed shock after a South Africa-registered commuter omnibus burst into flames, killing 18 people on the spot.
The kombi was allegedly carrying explosives belonging to one of the passengers, preliminary reports indicate.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the commuter omnibus, a Toyota Quantum, exploded into a fireball between 1pm and 2pm yesterday.
The disaster occurred along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road, specifically on the stretch between Chipangali and the Gwanda tollgate, popularly known as Much Binding.
Emergency services arrived to find a scene of devastation, with the vehicle completely engulfed by flames.
While the exact cause of the explosion remains under investigation, the police have indicated that more details will be released as the recovery operation continues.
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However, it is alleged there may have been explosives in the vehicle.
Coltart took to social media platform X to express shock after the devastating incident.
“I am shocked and saddened by the terrible accident, which occurred just outside Bulawayo (yesterday),” the mayor posted.
“On behalf of the Bulawayo City Council I extend our deepest symphathies and condolences to the families and friends of all those who lost their lives today.
“Many thanks go to the fire department, which responded quickly and did all they could to alleviate a truly devastating accident.”
A number of transporters have been caught at the Beitbridge Border Post trying to smuggle explosives to South Africa from Zimbabwe.
Most of the explosives used in cash-in-transit heists and automated teller machine bombings are sourced from Zimbabwe and smuggled through Beitbridge Border Post.
Early this week, a truck driver was arrested in neighbouring South Africa after smuggling explosives worth R770 000 through the border post.
Explosives are said to have a ready market in that country, including criminals who use them for cash-in-transit heists or to blow up ATM machines.