Tendai Muererwa
Buhera – What was meant to be a journey of faith ended in unimaginable tragedy after nine people drowned when a commuter omnibus rolled into Ruti Dam in Buhera during the early hours of Friday morning.
The fatal accident occurred at around 4am at Bangure as passengers were boarding a commuter omnibus destined for Murambinda, where they were expected to join a church congregation.
According to National Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the passengers had crossed Ruti Dam from the Gutu side in canoes before boarding the vehicle on the Buhera side.
The omnibus had stopped near the dam wall to load passengers and goods. As luggage was being tied onto the roof, the driver, who was outside the vehicle assisting with the loading, watched in horror as the stationary omnibus suddenly began to move.
Police suspect the vehicle suffered a brake failure, causing it to roll uncontrollably into the dam before disappearing beneath the water.
Twelve passengers were on board at the time of the incident. Three managed to escape by swimming to safety, while nine others were trapped inside the submerged vehicle and drowned.
The vehicle and bodies of the deceased were recovered and taken to Murambinda Mission Hospital for post-mortem examinations.
The heartbreaking tragedy has plunged families and communities in Buhera and Gutu into mourning, with many grieving the loss of relatives who had begun the day looking forward to worship but instead met a tragic end. Police have launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
