By REBECCA MUSHOTA –

ZAMBIA Postal Services (Zampost) has started compensating victims and families of victims of the Postbus accident which happened a year ago.

The accident claimed 51 lives and left 21 passengers injured.

According to a statement released by Postbus Limited general manager George Chipasha yesterday, the company had received K1 million insured money from the Zambia State Insurance Corporation for distribution to accident victims and their families.

Mr Chipasha said legal advice was sought from the office of the Attorney General on the mode of distributing the amount bearing in mind that Postbus Limited was equally a victim and in no way liable for the injury and loss suffered.

The statement indicated that the amount was also limited.

Mr Chipasha said Postbus Limited was now ready to start distributing the money to the affected victims after seeking the legal advice.

He said the company had started communicating with the families of the victims to inform them of the process and the modalities it would take.

The families of all the deceased would be given an equal amount each and the amount that would be given to the injured victims would be the same for each person.

Zampost Limited hoped to end the process this month.

“No amount of money can ever replace a life or a lost limb, but we hope that the modest help rendered will go a long way in helping the victims move on with their lives,” Mr Chipasha said.

He said he was grateful for the support given to the victims in different ways from various sectors of society when the accident happened.

Mr Chipasha said Post bus Limited also rendered humanitarian support towards funeral, burial and medical expenses worth K500,000.