Zimbabwe’s roads have witnessed a spate of devastating accidents over the past few days, claiming several lives and leaving many injured.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed several fatal incidents, highlighting the urgent need for improved road safety measures and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations.
The first incident, confirmed by the ZRP, occurred on October 4th, 2024, at approximately 4:45 PM, at the 162-kilometre peg along the Mutare-Masvingo Road. A Toyota Probox mushikashika, carrying ten passengers, veered off the road and overturned.
The police report states: “The ZRP confirms a fatal road traffic accident which occurred at the 162-kilometre peg along Mutare–Masvingo Road on 04/10/24 at around 1645 hours. Two people were killed while one person was injured when a Toyota Probox vehicle with ten passengers on board veered off the road to the left and overturned before landing on its right side. The bodies of the victims were taken to Silveira Mission Hospital mortuary for post-mortem while the injured victim is admitted at the same hospital.”
The sheer number of passengers in the Toyota Probox – ten in a vehicle designed for far fewer – is deeply troubling. This blatant disregard for road safety regulations strongly suggests the vehicle was operating illegally as a “mushikashika,” an unlicensed commuter taxi.
This practice is widespread in Zimbabwe, and this tragic accident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers of overloading and the risks faced by passengers in such vehicles. The incident underscores the need for increased vigilance and stricter enforcement of traffic laws to curb this dangerous practice.
Later that same day, October 4th, at approximately 7:40 PM, another fatal accident occurred at the 35-kilometre peg along the Harare-Mukumbura Road. This collision involved a Toyota Sprinter carrying four passengers and a Nissan UD lorry with one passenger. The two vehicles sideswiped each other resulting in a fatal outcome.
The police report states that two people died in this accident while three others sustained injuries. The deceased were taken to the Concession Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations, and the injured were admitted to the same hospital for treatment. The circumstances surrounding this accident are currently under investigation.
Adding to the grim toll of road accidents, a devastating bus crash occurred on Sunday afternoon near Birchenough Bridge in Manicaland province. Reports, largely circulating on social media, indicate that a Mwayera bus travelling from Harare veered off the road at a curve in the Chigavakava area before crashing. Reports indicate that a tyre burst caused the driver to lose control.
While the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed at the time of writing, social media posts suggest a possibility of loss of life. The details surrounding this accident are still emerging, and official confirmation of the number of fatalities and injuries is awaited from the authorities.
