Tragedy on Popota Road: One Dead, 29 Injured in Choma Traffic Accident

A devastating road traffic accident has claimed one life and left 29 others injured in Choma District, Southern Province. The accident occurred on Sunday morning at approximately 11:00 AM along Popota Road, a stretch located off the Great North Road—a vital artery for travel and transport in the region.

According to Southern Province Police Deputy Commanding Officer, Moono Namalongo, the vehicle involved was a Mitsubishi Canter truck carrying all 30 victims as passengers. The truck overturned after the driver reportedly lost control due to excessive speeding, resulting in a violent crash that left the vehicle on its side, scattering passengers and cargo along the roadside.

The driver, identified as 25-year-old Knight Luo, was reportedly attempting to navigate a curve at high speed when he lost control of the vehicle. The truck veered off the road and flipped, resulting in a chaotic and traumatic scene.

Tragically, one passenger—Mackson Munsaka—succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Choma General Hospital. Witnesses say he sustained severe trauma during the crash, and despite the swift response from local emergency services, his injuries were too extensive to survive.

Among the 29 survivors, 10 sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Choma General Hospital for emergency treatment. The seriously injured have been named as:

• Besta Muyuni (33)

• A female adult identified only as Muswami (50)

• Belita Muyuni (36)

• Maureen Kanyanga (43)

• Sante Sikachamba (23)

• Boinesi Mweetwa (51)

• Emmanuel Siawala (51)

• Modester Kafwambila (46)

• Catherine Simalonga (50)

• Judith Samu (48)

Medical personnel at Choma General Hospital have indicated that while some of the injuries are critical, all the patients are currently receiving necessary care and are being closely monitored.

The remaining 19 passengers suffered minor injuries, mostly bruises and soft tissue trauma. They were treated and either discharged or kept under observation depending on their condition.

A Wake-Up Call on Road Safety

This tragic incident has once again highlighted the pressing issue of road safety in Zambia, particularly on rural and peri-urban roads where enforcement of traffic regulations can be limited. Overspeeding continues to be a leading cause of accidents in the country, often turning ordinary trips into catastrophic events.

Local authorities have urged drivers to exercise caution and adhere to speed limits, especially when transporting passengers. Police have launched a full investigation into the incident to determine the precise circumstances leading to the crash, and whether any mechanical failure or overloading may have contributed.

Community in Mourning

The accident has sent shockwaves through the Choma community, as many of the victims were local residents traveling for business and personal reasons. Relatives of the injured have gathered at the hospital, anxiously awaiting updates, while the family of the deceased mourns the loss of their loved one.

Funeral arrangements for Mackson Munsaka are expected to be announced once the postmortem is completed. Meanwhile, police have appealed to the public to come forward with any additional eyewitness information that may aid the ongoing investigation.

Final Thoughts

While Zambia has made strides in improving road infrastructure, the human element—driver behavior, vehicle maintenance, and enforcement—remains critical. This latest incident serves as a grim reminder that safety behind the wheel is not just a personal responsibility but a communal one.

As the survivors begin their long road to recovery and a family mourns their loss, the hope remains that this tragedy will lead to greater awareness and concrete actions to prevent such accidents in the future.