A devastating road accident on the Wedza-Mutiweshiri Road claimed the lives of eight people, plunging the community into mourning.
The accident occurred on Wednesday around 2 PM at the 5-kilometre peg, involved a Toyota Quantum minibus carrying fifteen passengers. The vehicle veered off the road, overturned, and landed back on its wheels.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the tragedy on Thursday. He reported that five passengers died at the scene, while three others succumbed to their injuries at St Mary’s Hospital in Wedza and Sally Mugabe Hospital in Harare. A further nine passengers sustained injuries.
The deceased have been identified as Evans Marerwa (37), a police officer stationed at Police General Headquarters; his brother, Liberty Marerwa (31); their niece, Mendy Marerwa (12); their nephew, Panashe Marerwa (25); Yvonne Meki (26), Ethel Mhena (1), and Wirimai Munhuuripi (49). All, except Munhuuripi, hailed from Kuwadzana 5, Harare.
The tragedy struck as the group returned from a funeral in Ruzane Village, Hwedza. The majority of the dead are from the Marerwa family in Hwedza and they were coming from the burial of a relative in Ruzane Village in Hwedza. Evans Marerwa was a serving police officer employed by the Ministry of Home Affairs as a police officer stationed at Police General Headquarters (PGHQ).
The government has responded swiftly to the tragedy, offering state-assisted funerals for the victims. Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister and Hwedza South MP, Tinoda Machakaire, announced the assistance, highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting the bereaved families.
“I want to thank President Mnangagwa for the assistance given to the bereaved families to decently bury their loved ones. Usually, when a family loses a large number of their members, that family will struggle to bury their loved ones. As Hwedza, we are thankful to the Government for the assistance in the form of coffins, food and transport.
“As Hwedza South MP, I will also make sure there is enough food during the burials. What is important now is for the Hwedza family to remain united in times like these. Let us mourn together and give a proper burial to the deceased,” Minister Machakaire stated.
Following the accident, Minister Machakaire, accompanied by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East, Dr Aplonia Munzverengwi, Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona, and Department of Civil Protection Unit officials, visited the injured in hospital.
Minister Mhona used the opportunity to urge drivers to prioritise road safety.
“This is a very difficult moment for us all. It is painful to lose our loved ones in road accidents. We are here as a Government to mourn with the bereaved families. Let me also take this opportunity to remind motorists to always be cautious on the road. Let us not be reckless, drivers should always be alert and keep in mind that the lives of those that they transport are in their hands.”
Minister Munzverengwi echoed the sentiment, emphasising the importance of adhering to traffic regulations. A family member who spoke on behalf of the bereaved, expressed their profound grief and gratitude for the government’s support.
“We are running short of proper words to express our gratitude to the Government for this assistance which came at the opportune time. The accident occurred when the family members were coming from burying our mother who had just passed away after succumbing to cancer-related illness. On their way, these mourners met their death. It is hard for us as a family,” they said.
In his statement, Commissioner Nyathi urged motorists to exercise caution and adhere to speed limits to prevent similar tragedies. Initial reports suggested the minibus was carrying twenty passengers, exceeding its capacity. The investigation into the accident continues.
