By Godfrey Tembo
Harare, Zimbabwe (News of the South)-The Cross Border Association of Zimbabwe has called for the cancellation of licences for King Lion buses in the wake of a fatal accident by one of the buses that has killed 43.
The King Lion which was on its way to Zambia had 40 cross border traders aboard it some of whom died on the spot whilst others were critically injured.
In a statement Dennis Juru the CBAZ Presidenr said the number of accidents involving King Lion buses is too many such that government has to intervene.
“We have been saddened by the death of 43 passengers in the King Lion’s Nyamakate accident today”
“Twenty two are from Harare, Eight are from Mashonaland East, Seven are from Mashonaland Central, Two are from Masvingo and one is from Midlands provinces”, he said.
Juru said this is not the first King Lion to be involved in a fatal accident with the buses having been involved in other fatal accidents previosuly providing justification for the banishment from the roads.
“As International Cross-Border Traders Association, we appeal to the Honourable Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Dr Jorum Gumbo to withdraw passenger permit for King Lion Bus company”
“The company should be at the same time investigated on all accident that have costed people precious lives. So many children have been orphaned by the negligence of untrained King Lion Bus Drivers”, he added.
Juru illustrated the bloody history of the bus company saying they have left many children orphaned.
“On the 19th of July 2015, a bus belonging to King Lion killed 12 passengers, 37 km from Kafue along Lusaka-Chirundu road in Zambia”.
“The driver of the bus by the name Nyamande was alleged to have been driving at an excessive speed when the bus burst a tyre resulting in the driver failing to control the bus and overturned”
“On the 23rd of July 2014, a King Lion South Africa bound Bus killed two people”
“Chronicle business editor called Mernat Mafirakureva was killed when his car collided with the King Lion Bus along Masvingo-Harare road near Beatrice. The accident also killed one passenger who was in the bus”
“On the 28th of June 2014, a King Lion South Africa bound Bus killed two passengers and several injured.The accident occurred 40km before Masvingo along Harare-Masvingo road. The bus sideswiped with a Pioneer Bus which was going North”, he said.
The CBAZ added that the incidents are convincing enough that King Lion Bus Drivers are not professionally and defensively trained due to the number of lives claimed in a short period of time.
“We hope that the Honourable Minister will heed our call to withdraw passenger permit for King Lion Bus company”, it said.
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