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| Stranded passengers sit beside their bus on a dusty roadside in Gweru, Zimbabwe, after a mechanical failure halted their journey from Malawi to Johannesburg. (8 April 2025) |
A long-distance passenger bus traveling from Malawi to South Africa broke down in Zimbabwe on Monday, leaving dozens of travelers stranded in a remote area as they journeyed to Johannesburg in search of work, family, or opportunity.
The incident occurred on April 8, just outside the small town of Gweru in central Zimbabwe. The bus, operated by a Malawian private transport company, reportedly suffered mechanical failure, halting its progress across southern Africa and leaving passengers vulnerable in unfamiliar territory.
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Local reports say the bus was carrying more than 60 passengers, most of whom had been traveling for over 24 hours. Some were seen sitting roadside, exhausted and visibly distressed, with luggage scattered around the vehicle. Several passengers claimed they had not eaten since the night before and were growing anxious about the delay.
“We left Blantyre early Sunday morning,” said 34-year-old Miriam Banda, who was traveling to reunite with her sister in Soweto. “Now we’re stuck in the middle of nowhere. No water, no food, and no idea when we’ll move again.”
According to local police and transport officials in Zimbabwe, the bus company had not secured proper emergency support, and it took several hours before a mechanic could be dispatched. Meanwhile, residents of a nearby village offered water and some basic supplies to the stranded group.
Zimbabwean authorities confirmed the breakdown but stated that the bus and its passengers posed no immediate danger. “Our concern is humanitarian,” said Midlands Provincial Traffic Inspector Maxwell Ngwenya. “We are working with local organizations to assist the travelers while arrangements are made for their journey to continue.”
This event highlights the ongoing challenges faced by thousands of cross-border travelers in southern Africa, where long-distance road transport often operates with limited oversight, and infrastructure is frequently overstretched.
By late Tuesday morning, the bus had reportedly been repaired, and passengers were expected to resume their journey southward. But for many on board, the breakdown was more than just a mechanical failure — it was a stark reminder of the hardship that often accompanies migration across the region.
As regional governments continue to push for improved cross-border cooperation and safer transport systems, incidents like these underscore the urgency of protecting travelers — particularly vulnerable migrants — as they navigate the vast routes linking Africa’s heartlands to its economic centers.