A devastating road accident on Saturday afternoon claimed the lives of five innocent teenage girls. The incident occurred around 4 PM near the 90-kilometre peg along the Harare-Mukumbura Road, just past the Bindura Rural District Council compound.
The five victims, all from the same family and aged between 13 and 14, were walking home when a Nissan Primera, driven by 51-year-old Washington Timburwa of the Zimbabwe National Army’s Two Brigade, veered off the road and struck them. Tragically, Nokutenda Mabheka (14), Rachel Sinodia Saidi (13), and Chipo Chikanda (13) died at the scene. Misiyose Benjamin (14) and Makanaka succumbed to their injuries later at Bindura Hospital. All the deceased girls sustained severe head injuries.
According to a memo from Bindura traffic police to the Officer Commanding Bindura Police District, Timburwa was driving with a single passenger, Nyasha Ngwerume (22), when he lost control of his vehicle.
The police report details the events: “Upon approaching 90km peg on the said road, he failed to keep a proper control of the vehicle and veered off to the left side of the road and swerved to the right side where he went on to hit 6 pedestrians who were walking along the said road due south,” the memo states.
“The motor vehicle overturned several times and landed on its roof approximately 5 metres from the road. Three pedestrians died on the spot, two died upon admission at Bindura Hospital. One pedestrian is in critical condition and is admitted at Bindura Hospital. One passenger from the first party’s vehicle sustained a cut on the head and her condition is stable. The first party (Timburwa) did not sustain any visible injuries.”
In addition to the five fatalities, another young girl, identified as Manhenga, suffered a fractured right leg and serious head injuries and remains in critical condition at Bindura Hospital. Ngwerume, the passenger in Timburwa’s vehicle, sustained a head wound but is reported to be in a stable condition.
The damaged vehicle, registration number ADQ1676, was towed to the Bindura Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) for inspection. Police attributed the accident to speeding and have charged Timburwa with culpable homicide.
The incident has prompted a swift response from local authorities. The Bindura District Development Coordinator’s (DDC) office expressed profound sorrow, with Ms. Lidya Hlabati, Principal Administration Officer, announcing that the provincial Civil Protection Unit (CPU) has requested state-assisted funerals for the victims. The CPU also visited the injured in hospital, offering support and well wishes.
This tragic event underscores the high rate of road fatalities in Zimbabwe, estimated at five deaths per day by authorities. While road accidents are sadly common, incidents involving vehicles striking pedestrians on the roadside are less frequent, making this particular tragedy all the more shocking.
