Government is set to compensate families of the victims of a horrific road traffic accident which happened along the Masvingo-Beitbridge highway last week killing six people.

The accident involved a head-on collision between a Toyota Hiace omnibus and a haulage truck at the 166 kilometre peg along the highway.

Masvingo’s Provincial Development Coordinator (PDC), Fungai Mbetsa said government wanted to compensate the Chipungu, Madzingo, Beta, Zireva and Mazana families to cover the funeral expenses they incurred.

“Government is assisting the bereaved families by repaying all their funeral expenses as a form of condolence,” said Mbetsa.

 The six, Taonga Mazana, Vimbai Beta, Rueben Madzingo, Enerst and Farai Chipungu and Delight Zireva were going to South Africa on a business trip when the omnibus they were travelling in collided with the South Africa-registered haulage truck at a bridge.

Basing on the skid marks, the haulage truck is said to have encroached into the lane of the omnibus, collided with it and dragged it for a about 50 metres off the road.

The Chiredzi community showed their solidarity by joining hands to mourn the six victims while others contributed more than $6 000 towards the funeral expenses.

Chiredzi West Member of Parliament (MP) Farai Musikavanhu provided a three-ton truck to ferry the bodies from Neshuro Hospital to Chiredzi.

“I have since consulted Resident Minister Chadzamira requesting for State support and he directed me to Mr Mbetsa, the PDC who said a position had been taken to avail State support for the grieving families,” said Musikavanhu.

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