HARARE - Seven people perished in a horrific accident in Marondera on Friday when a haulage truck rammed into three oncoming vehicles.

The accident brings to 150 the total number of deaths during the festive season from 143 according to the latest police figures.

Marondera mayor Farai Nyandoro told the Daily News that the accident took place around 5pm about three kilometres south of Marondera, along the Harare-Mutare Highway.

The haulage truck driver, with a passenger on board, failed to negotiate a sharp curve and collided with the vehicles.

Nyandoro said there were no survivors in the accident.

“Three people died on the spot and four died on their way to Marondera General Hospital. We are told the driver of the haulage truck was speeding and failed to negotiate a sharp curve and lost control of the vehicle resulting in the collision,” said Nyandoro.

Names of the deceased are yet to be released until their next of kin have been informed.

Last year, 147 people died during the festive season.

So far police have recorded 874 accidents, an increase of 74 accidents from what was recorded during the same period last year.

Police attributed the death toll mainly to human error as people would be speeding and at times using defective vehicles. - Mugove Tafirenyika