By Scoop Reporter
FOUR Congolese refugees from Mayukwayukwa settlement in Western Province have perished in Mumbwa in a road mishap as they were traveling to Lusaka on a private trip to buy groceries for sale.
The accident, which happened near the Kafue Hook Bridge at about 02:00 hours on Sunday, involved Toyota Hiace mini- bus registration number BAG 3693 and had 20 passengers on board at the time of the accident.
In a statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs obtained by The Scoop this afternoon, Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo says the bus overturned twice killing three males and one female passenger on the spot, while eight passengers sustained serious injuries and were evacuated to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) for specialised treatment.
Mr. Kampyongo says the other eight passengers were admitted to Mumbwa District Hospital and have since been discharged after medical examinations while the bodies of the deceased were deposited in Mumbwa District Hospital Mortuary awaiting post-mortem.
“The Toyota Hiace Mimi- Bus belonged to a local a local businessman who was aboard and among the eight victims with serious injuries and evacuated to the University Teaching no Hospital (UTH). The passengers were traveling on a private trip to Lusaka to order groceries for resell within Mayukwayukwa Refugee Settlement.
“The Commission for Refugees in collaboration with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) are making arrangements to transport the deceased bodies to Lusaka where most family members reside,” reads the statement in part.
He has urged the general public and the refugee community in Zambia to adhere to Government ban on public transport from traveling at night.
