A tragic road accident on Seke Road in Harare yesterday has left the nation in shock and mourning, with three people dead and 31 injured. The accident, which involved two commuter omnibuses, has also sparked outrage and calls for stricter traffic enforcement in the country.
The accident occurred at the intersection of Seke Road and St Patrick’s Road in Hatfield, Harare, when a Toyota Hiace kombi, driven by Sergeant James Makaranga, stationed at Police Protection Unit and living in Chitungwiza, encroached into the oncoming traffic lane and collided head-on with a Nissan Caravan.
The Nissan Caravan was driven by Tashinga Chihava, 22, and had 18 passengers on board. Sergeant Makaranga had 15 passengers in his kombi at the time of the accident.
The accident has sparked outrage and calls for stricter traffic enforcement in the country. The video footage of the accident scene, showing trapped and injured passengers crying for help, has gone viral on social media, highlighting the devastating impact of the crash.
Both the police sergeant and the other driver he collided with failed to produce their driver’s licences when traffic police officers attended the scene at 0645hrs.
Sergeant Makaranga, who is being charged with Contravening Section 49 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act chapter 9:23 “Culpable Homicide”, was overtaking a Mazda Bongo Van turning from St Patrick’s Road into Seke Road when he lost control and collided with Chihava’s kombi.
The vehicles involved in the accident were towed to ZRP Hatfield Traffic for inspection by the Vehicle Examination Department.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza confirmed the accident, saying “Police confirms death of three people and injury of 31 passengers in a road traffic accident along Seke Road.”
He added that 17 of the injured were rushed to Chitungwiza Hospital, 10 to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital and 8 to Parirenyatwa Hospital.
“Investigations are continuing,” said Insp Chakanza.
In his statement ahead of the Heroes and Defence Forces Holiday, Commissioner General of Police implored motorists to be exemplary in their driving conduct after the recent rehabilitation and construction of major roads in Harare and other parts of the country.
