President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government is facing intense scrutiny over its handling of a recent tragic road accident, which has once again exposed the critical shortcomings of Zimbabwe’s healthcare system.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Disturbing images circulating on social media show victims receiving medical attention with their broken limbs stabilised using makeshift splints crafted from cardboard, tape, and fabric.
These visuals have fuelled public outrage, drawing widespread condemnation for the nation’s inadequate emergency response and healthcare infrastructure.
The fatal crash occurred near Lutumba Tollgate along the Masvingo-Beitbridge highway and involved a Beitbridge-bound Urban Connect bus and a haulage truck.
The collision claimed 25 lives and left many others severely injured. However, what has sparked even greater concern is the appalling state of medical care provided to survivors.
Neshuro District Hospital, one of the closest medical facilities to the crash site, has long suffered from resource constraints. Reports indicate the hospital lacks essential infrastructure, including a functioning mortuary, a proper kitchen, and even basic cleaning equipment.
Nurses, struggling to cope with limited resources, have reportedly resorted to using sticks to wash hospital linen, highlighting the deep-seated deficiencies in Zimbabwe’s public health system.
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Several high-ranking government officials, including Transport Minister Felix Mhona, Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe, and Matabeleland South Provincial Minister Eveline Ndlovu, visited the hospital to check on the accident victims.
However, their visit drew criticism after photos emerged showing them standing by as victims lay on hospital beds with their injuries crudely treated. Many have dismissed the visit as a mere public relations exercise rather than a genuine effort to address the crisis.
Further compounding the outrage is the revelation that the Urban Connect bus involved in the crash was operating without a valid route permit.
Additionally, the driver’s retest certification had expired in 2021, raising serious questions about the government’s enforcement of road safety regulations. This failure to regulate transport operators has been blamed for the rising number of fatal accidents on Zimbabwe’s roads.
Public figures from various sectors have voiced their discontent. Lawyer and former legislator Fadzayi Mahere demanded accountability, questioning why hospitals continue to rely on rudimentary materials for critical medical care. She demanded that those responsible be held to account.
Exiled Zanu-PF supporter Kudzai Mutisi also criticised government officials for their failure to address the country’s worsening healthcare crisis. Former cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere expressed outrage over the use of makeshift medical equipment, deeming it unacceptable.
Meanwhile, former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo described the situation as a damning reflection of Zimbabwe’s crumbling public health sector.
The intensifying criticism against the government underscores the urgent need for reforms in both healthcare infrastructure and road safety regulations.
Without decisive action, tragedies like this will continue to claim innocent lives, further deepening Zimbabwe’s healthcare and transport crises.
