Truck driver Sirizani Butau has been honoured with the prestigious Gold Cross of Zimbabwe by President Emmerson Mnangagwa for his extraordinary bravery in saving passengers from a burning bus following a tragic collision in December 2021.
The award was presented during the Heroes Day commemorations held at the National Heroes Acre in Harare on Monday, 12 August 2024.
The Gold Cross of Zimbabwe, the nation’s highest military decoration, is traditionally awarded for acts of conspicuous valour by members of the Security Forces in combat.
Butau’s recognition, however, highlights the exceptional nature of his heroics as a civilian.
Read | Sirizani Butau, The Hero That Rescued 8 People From Burning Bus
On 24 December 2021, Butau, who was driving his haulage truck along the Mutare-Harare highway, came upon a horrific accident 20km outside Mutare.
A head-on collision between a passenger bus and another truck had resulted in the bus catching fire.
Without hesitation, Butau risked his life to rescue eight people trapped inside the burning vehicle, becoming an instant national hero for his courageous actions.
Butau sustained severe injuries in the process, suffering burns to 30 per cent of his body, primarily on his hands and legs.
His recovery was long and arduous, and the psychological scars of that night still linger.
Speaking from his hospital bed in January 2023, Butau shared the lasting impact of the traumatic experience, saying, “I am still in shock. I still need time to heal. My body sometimes shakes, and I sometimes see the visions. I am suffering more psychologically.”
The police investigation revealed that the accident occurred when the bus driver, attempting to avoid a drunk pedestrian, swerved into the opposite lane and collided with the oncoming truck.
The impact was catastrophic, leading to the tragic fire that could have claimed even more lives if not for Butau’s selfless intervention.
Butau’s bravery and the recognition he received with the Gold Cross of Zimbabwe serve as a powerful testament to the heroism that can emerge in the face of overwhelming danger.
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