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The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has suspended Urban Connect Holdings (Pvt) Ltd from operating its omnibuses nationwide for six months following a catastrophic accident that killed 25 passengers and left many seriously injured. The decision, announced by Minister Hon. F.T. Mhona (MP), comes after investigations revealed severe regulatory breaches by the transport company.
The fatal crash occurred on February 13, 2025, at the 263km peg along the Masvingo-Beitbridge Road. Preliminary findings indicate that Urban Connect’s bus (registration AGL2474) lacked a valid Passenger Insurance Policy, required under Section 38(b)(1) of the Road Traffic Act, and operated without a mandatory Route Permit under Section 12 of the Road Motor Transportation Act. Additionally, the driver had not complied with a Re-Test requirement stipulated in Statutory Instrument 168 of 2006.
“These violations represent a grave disregard for the terms of their operator’s license and the safety of passengers,” stated Minister Mhona, invoking Section 17(b)(i) of the Road Motor Transportation Act to enforce the immediate suspension. He extended condolences to bereaved families, acknowledging the loss of “innocent men and women, many of whom were breadwinners,” and wished a swift recovery for the injured.
