The grim reality of Zimbabwe’s dangerous roads has once again claimed innocent lives, leaving families in mourning and highlighting the urgent need for improved road safety measures. Two pedestrians were killed and two others injured in a horrific accident on the Masvingo-Mbalabala Road, while a separate incident on Bulawayo Road left 12 passengers injured.
The first tragedy occurred on the morning of July 25th, 2024, at the 103-kilometre peg of the Masvingo-Mbalabala Road. A Nissan NP200 vehicle, travelling alone, veered off the road and struck four pedestrians who were walking along a footpath approximately 70 metres away from the road. The impact of the collision was devastating, leaving two pedestrians dead at the scene.
“The bodies of the deceased victims were transported to the Zvishavane District Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations, while the injured individuals, as well as the driver of the vehicle, were admitted to the same hospital for medical treatment,” confirmed police in a statement.
This heart-wrenching incident comes just a month after another fatal accident on the same stretch of road. On June 25th, 2024, a Nissan Note vehicle carrying five passengers collided with a Freightliner truck at the 55km peg along the Masvingo-Mbalabala Highway, resulting in the deaths of four people and injuries to two others. The accident occurred after the truck driver failed to obey a Stop Sign at the intersection of the Masvingo-Mbalabala Highway and Tokwe-Mhandamabwe Road.
The recent string of accidents on the Masvingo-Mbalabala Road has raised serious concerns about the safety of this particular route. While the exact cause of the latest accident involving the Nissan NP200 is still under investigation, the incident highlights the dangers posed by reckless driving, poor road conditions, and a lack of adherence to traffic regulations.
In a separate incident, on July 20th, 2024, a Toyota Hiace Kombi carrying 20 passengers veered off the road at Bradford Turn-off along Bulawayo Road, Harare, landing on its left side. The accident resulted in 12 passengers sustaining injuries.
