Chiredzi – A chilling silence hangs over the Ngundu-Tanganda Road, a silence punctuated only by the mournful cries of grieving families. This stretch of tarmac, once a lifeline connecting communities, has become a grim reaper, claiming lives with a relentless brutality that has left many questioning if it is cursed.
The latest tragedy unfolded on the evening of July 21st, when a Toyota Probox mushikashika, carrying nine passengers, veered off the road at the 70km peg and crashed into a bridge pillar. The impact was catastrophic, sending the vehicle tumbling and ejecting all passengers before it finally came to rest on its side.
The deadly accident killed 8 people on the spot, their lives extinguished in a horrifying instant. The bodies of the deceased, now mere shadows of their former selves, were transported to Chiredzi Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations. Two survivors, their bodies bearing the scars of the accident, are currently receiving medical treatment at Collin Saunders Hospital and Chiredzi General Hospital.
“A tragic road traffic accident claimed the lives of eight people and left two others injured on the evening of July 21,” confirmed a spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).
The Ngundu-Tanganda Road has earned a sinister reputation as one of Zimbabwe’s most dangerous stretches of road, claiming over a hundred lives annually. The recent spate of accidents has fuelled whispers of a curse, a dark force that seems to be drawing victims to their demise.
Just three weeks ago, on the evening of July 1st, a Toyota Hiace carrying 15 passengers towards Chiredzi met its gruesome end at the 5km peg. The driver lost control, sending the vehicle careening off the road, overturning three times before finally coming to a stop. Three passengers, a female and two males, perished in the accident, their lives tragically cut short.
On June 28th, another accident occurred at the 101km peg, this time involving a pirate taxi, popularly known as mushikashika. The driver, Simbarashe Muparuri (25), lost control of the Toyota Probox, sending it careening off the road and overturning twice. Muparuri sustained head injuries and died on his way to Chiredzi General Hospital. Four other passengers were injured in the accident, two of them with serious and life-threatening injuries.
The road’s grim toll continued on June 15th, when two men, both aged 24, perished in a motorbike crash at the 102km peg. Emmanuel Chirambamurivo and Eric Maphosa were riding an unregistered motorbike when they collided with a stationary trailer. Both men succumbed to their injuries, leaving behind families shattered by grief.
These are just a few of the tragic incidents that have occurred on the Ngundu-Tanganda Road in recent months. The sheer number of accidents, the severity of the casualties, and the recurring nature of the incidents have led many to question whether there is something more sinister at play. Is there a curse on this road? Is it truly a blackspot, a place where fate seems to conspire against those who dare to travel its treacherous length?
The ZRP is currently investigating the cause of the latest accident, but the question remains: what is it about this road that seems to attract such a high number of fatal accidents? Is it poor road conditions, driver negligence, or something more inexplicable?
The families of the victims are left to grapple with their grief, while the community mourns the loss of their loved ones. The Ngundu-Tanganda Road, once a symbol of connection, now stands as a chilling reminder of the fragility of life and the ever-present threat of tragedy. The road’s sinister reputation continues to grow, casting a long shadow over the lives of those who travel its path. Will the authorities take steps to address the road’s deadly history, or will the Ngundu-Tanganda Road continue to claim lives with impunity?
