THE death toll from the road accident at Senjele village, Mbozi district has reached 12 people including the husband of the Ileje District Commissioner, Mr Abel Ismail.

The accident occurred on Sunday when a semi-trailer cargo truck heading for Mbeya municipality from Tunduma and an Ileje bound bus from Mbeya crashed heads on.

Mbeya Regional Police Commander (RPC) Zelothe Stephen said yesterday that Mr Ismail was in Mbeya to attend to personal business and died in the accident as he was returning to Ileje.

According to Mr Stephen, Ileje District Commissioner, Ms Esther Wakali was attending the Uhuru Torch handing-over ceremony at the border between Rukwa and Mbeya regions at the time of the accident.

Mr Stephen said that he would no longer tolerate negligent traffic officers who fail to perform duties at their workstations.

Ten people died on the spot following the accident on Sunday and two others died later after brakes of the semi-trailer truck failed and the driver lost control and rammed on the coming bus from the opposite direction.

The driver of the lorry belonging to Dhando Transport Company, Mr Haji Daudi, is admitted in hospital under police custody.

Officials available at the Mbeya referral hospital mortuary identified the district secretary to Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) women's wing (UWT) District Secretary, Ms Hilda Mwaipopo, among the dead.

Others who have been identified so far were Itumba Primary School teacher, Aidana Ilomo, Ileje District Procurement Officer, Mr Charles Mligo and the education department's District Statistics and Supplies Officer, Loidi Ngake.

Others are Dhando Transport Company staff - Fadhil Rahim, Bartazar Kasepa, Umeme Nsyenga, Queen Igwisya, Kalebo Mushamba, Anyimike Kibona and Mushida Munose.

Meanwhile, President Jakaya Kikwete has sent condolences to the Mbeya Regional Commissioner, Mr John Mwakipesile, following the accident.

He said in a statement issued by the Directorate of Presidential Communications that he had been saddened by news of the accident and sent condolences to relatives and friends of all those who lost their lives.

The president called on all authorities concerned with road safety to strengthen efforts to avert road accidents that continue to claim the lives of many Tanzanians.