The Mabvuku turn-off, a notorious intersection at the junction of Mutare Road and Donnybrook Road, has once again claimed a life, this time in a horrific five-vehicle collision that left one person dead and four injured. The accident, which occurred on Thursday morning, has highlighted the growing concerns over road safety in the area.
The carnage unfolded around 7 a.m. when a Mercedes Benz, carrying a single passenger, allegedly disregarded a red light and slammed into a Toyota Corolla carrying four occupants. The Corolla was turning right onto Mutare Road from Donnybrook Road at the time of the impact.
The collision, however, was far from over. The Mercedes Benz, its momentum undeterred, continued its destructive path, striking a Toyota Vitz with one passenger, an Isuzu D-Max pickup with two passengers, and finally, a Toyota Revo with one passenger. The force of the collision was such that the Mercedes Benz landed on the bonnet and windscreen of the Toyota Revo, leaving a trail of mangled metal and shattered glass.
Emergency services arrived promptly at the scene, but despite their best efforts, one person succumbed to their injuries. The identities of the deceased and the injured have not yet been released, leaving families anxiously awaiting news.
“It’s a tragedy,” remarked a witness who was at the scene. “The impact was so forceful, it felt like an earthquake. It’s a miracle that more people weren’t killed.”
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched a comprehensive investigation into the accident, seeking to understand the exact circumstances that led to this devastating incident. The ZRP has extended its condolences to the family of the deceased, offering support during this difficult time.
“The ZRP is deeply saddened by this tragic loss of life,” said police in a statement. “We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of this accident and to hold those responsible accountable.”
However, this latest accident is not an isolated incident. The Mabvuku turn-off has become a notorious blackspot, with a string of accidents plaguing the area in recent months. The absence of traffic lights for an extended period has been a source of concern for commuters and residents alike, with many attributing the escalating accidents to the lack of proper traffic management.
“It’s a miracle that more people haven’t been killed here,” remarked a commuter who frequently uses the turn-off. “It’s a recipe for disaster without traffic lights.”
Just last week, another horrific road traffic accident occurred on the Harare-Mutare highway, just past the Mabvuku turn-off, claiming the lives of four people and leaving ten others injured. In that incident, a commuter omnibus travelling towards Marondera veered off the road after a tyre burst, rolling over three times before coming to a rest on its roof.
The frequency of these accidents has sparked widespread calls for immediate action to address the growing safety concerns at the Mabvuku turn-off. Many are demanding the swift installation of ever-functioning traffic lights and the implementation of stricter traffic enforcement measures to prevent further tragedies.
