Harare: A tragic toll of 37 lives lost and over 100 people injured during the recent Heroes and Defence Forces Holidays has cast a dark shadow over the heroes holiday which is often bloody over the years.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed that four fatal road traffic accidents occurred between August 8 and 13, 2024, in Marondera, Harare and Nyanga.
The most devastating accident occurred on August 12, 2024, at the 53km peg along the Harare-Mutare Road, near Marondera. A Toyota Isis carrying seven passengers collided head-on with a Freightliner truck with no passengers on board. This accident claimed the lives of five people, with three of the victims identified as Alice Mavhudzi (46), Letty Mandaza (30), and Tapiwa Mabiza (40). The other two victims remain unidentified.
Another fatal accident occurred in Harare on August 13, 2024, at the intersection of Seke Road and St Patrick’s in Hatfield. A Toyota Hiace kombi carrying 15 passengers sideswiped with a Mazda Bongo Van carrying four passengers. The Toyota Hiace kombi then went on to collide head-on with a Nissan Caravan kombi carrying 18 passengers. This accident resulted in the deaths of three people: Wayne Chipuriro (42), Pecking Feliati (40), and Christable Makwanya (32).
The ZRP has confirmed that the bodies of the victims from the Mutare road accident were taken to Marondera Provincial Hospital mortuary for post-mortem, while the injured were admitted to the same hospital. The bodies of the victims from the Seke road accident were taken to Chitungwiza Central Hospital mortuary and Sally Mugabe Hospital for post-mortem. The injured victims were admitted to Chitungwiza Central Hospital and Sally Mugabe Central Hospital.
In a separate incident on August 13, 2024, at around 9pm at the 34km peg along the Nyanga-Rwenya Road at Tangwena Turn off, a Hino Dutro Truck carrying 64 church congregates veered off the road, resulting in the deaths of five people and injuries to 60 others.
Another fatal accident occurred on August 13, 2024, at around 10pm along the Magadzire-Dazi Road near Nyagoma Village, Tangwena, Nyanga. A Nissan Caravan kombi carrying 12 passengers overturned, killing three passengers and injuring five others, including the driver.
In response to the tragic accidents, National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi urged drivers to avoid overtaking in unsafe situations and reminded church leaders to put in place appropriate means to transport congregates safely. He also stressed the importance of regular vehicle maintenance and certification.
“Zimbabwe Republic Police implores drivers to avoid overtaking in situations, which are not safe to do so,” Commissioner Nyathi said. “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. Above all, vehicles, whether public or privately owned, should be regularly serviced, checked and certified fit to be on the roads.”
The ZRP is expected to release comprehensive statistics on the accidents today.
