11 Zimbabweans killed in Botswana accident

At least 11 Zimbabwean immigrants died in a road accident in Botswana after the vehicle they were travelling in hit a tree early Monday, police said.

Botswana Police spokesperson Christopher Mbulawa said all the deceased were travelling in the same vehicle when the accident occurred near the town of Palapye, about 300 km north of here. Seven other passengers, also believed to be Zimbabweans were admitted at Palapye primary hospital.

Police said the vehicle that was carrying 18 people, including the driver, veered off the road after hitting a donkey and ended up hitting a tree on the side of the road.

Police investigations revealed that all the passengers except the driver did not have travel documents and were destined for South Africa.

Zimbabweans, fleeing economic hardships in their country, often cross to neighbouring Botswana to get jobs, or transit through to South Africa with travelling documents.