The Heroes’ Day weekend turned tragic as a string of fatal road accidents claimed the lives of 16 people across Harare, Marondera, Mutare and Nyanga. Police have confirmed the devastating incidents, releasing the names of the deceased and urging drivers to exercise caution on the roads.
The first accident occurred on August 12th at around 3pm on the Harare-Mutare Road in Marondera. A Toyota Iris, carrying seven passengers, collided head-on with a Freightliner truck. Five people lost their lives in the crash, while three others were injured.
The deceased were identified as Alice Mavhudzi (46) of Marondera, Letty Mandaza (30) of Dombotombo, Marondera, and Tapiwa Mabiza (40) of Sunningdale 3, Harare. The identities of two other victims remain unknown.
The following day, August 13th, a horrific three-vehicle collision occurred in Harare at the corner of St Patricks and Seke Road. A Toyota Hiace kombi, carrying 15 passengers, sideswiped a Mazda Bongo Van, leading to a head-on collision with a Nissan Caravan kombi carrying 18 passengers.
The crash resulted in three deaths and 32 injuries. The victims were identified as Wayne Chipuriro (42) of Chipuriro Village, Mutoko, Pecking Feliati (40) of Unit I Extension, Seke Chitungwiza, and Christable Makwanya (32) of Unit K Chitungwiza.
Meanwhile, tragedy struck on the Nyanga-Rwenya Road on August 13th at around 9pm. A Hino Dutro Truck, carrying 64 church congregants (overloaded), veered off the road while descending a steep slope and taking a sharp curve.
The accident claimed the lives of five people and injured 60. The injured are receiving treatment at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, Nyanga District Hospital, and Regina Coeli Mission Hospital, while the bodies of the deceased await post-mortem at Nyanga District Hospital mortuary.
In another incident on August 12th at 10pm, a Nissan Caravan kombi carrying 12 passengers overturned on the Magadzire-Dazi dust road near Nyagoma Village, Tangwena, Nyanga. The vehicle failed to ascend a steep hill, resulting in three deaths and injuries to five passengers and the driver.
Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi expressed deep concern over the accidents, urging drivers to exercise caution and avoid overtaking in unsafe situations. He also reminded church leaders to ensure their congregants are transported safely, especially during large gatherings.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police implores drivers to avoid overtaking in situations which are not safe to do so. Church leaders are once again reminded to put in place appropriate means to carry congregates to curb road traffic accidents whenever they are having large gatherings,” said Nyathi. “Above all, vehicles, whether public or privately owned, should be regularly serviced, checked and certified fit to be on the roads.”
In a separate incident, a Mutare Magistrates’ Court convicted Maxwell Chirinda (66) of culpable homicide. Chirinda, a kombi driver from Dangamvura, ran over a two-year-old girl while driving a Nissan Caravan on an unnamed road in Destiny, Dangamvura, on 30 May 2023. The child died instantly from head injuries.
The court found Chirinda negligent, citing his failure to stop or act reasonably when the accident seemed imminent, his inability to keep the vehicle under control, and traveling at excessive speed. He was fined USD 350 or faces two months imprisonment if he fails to pay. Chirinda also received a three-month wholly suspended sentence and was ordered to surrender his driver’s license.
