A HAULAGE truck, pictured, driver and tollgate cashier are lucky to be alive after the 34-tonne vehicle ploughed into a tollgate on Sunday evening.
The accident occurred at the Esigodini tollgate at the 40km peg along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge road.
The driver failed to navigate his way into a lane and drove straight into the pillars of the tollgate and in the process crashed the cashier’s booth.
Sources at the tollgate said the cashier managed to scurry for cover to avoid getting hurt while the driver also escaped without any serious injuries.
The Zimbabwe National Roads Authority (Zinara) said while no-one sustained life-threatening injuries, their tolling equipment was heavily damaged in the accident.
“Our Esigodini tollgate was extensively damaged by a Bulawayo-bound haulage truck this evening (Sunday). Fortunately, there were no fatalities or serious injuries but our tolling equipment was destroyed,” Zinara said.
Motorists have since been advised to exercise caution when driving through the tollgate, which has been plunged into darkness.
“We urge motorists passing through this gate to exercise extreme caution,” added Zinara.
The Esigodini tollgate has been under spotlight in the past with motorists complaining of long and slow-moving queues, bad mobile network coverage owing to the power cuts that often leave the area in darkness, making passage for vehicles difficult.
Zinara has previously apologised for slow service at the tollgate, offering motorists facilities to pay prior to arriving for smoother passage.
by
Andile Tshuma
in BULAWAYO