A devastating road traffic accident on Friday evening claimed the lives of nine people and left eight others injured along the Harare-Shamva Road. The accident, which occurred around 7pm at the 88-kilometre peg, involved a Toyota Sienta carrying 13 passengers and a Toyota Land Cruiser with three occupants.
The tragedy unfolded when the Toyota Sienta, travelling towards Shamva, struck a stray cow. The impact caused the vehicle to lose control, veering into the oncoming lane. A head-on collision with the Toyota Land Cruiser travelling in the opposite direction towards Harare followed immediately.
“Nine people were killed while eight others were injured when a Toyota Sienta vehicle with 13 passengers on board, which was travelling towards Shamva, hit a cow before swerving onto the oncoming lane,” confirmed Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi in a statement released on Saturday.
He detailed the horrific aftermath: “Resultantly, the motor vehicle had a head-on collision with a Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle which was travelling towards Harare with three passengers on board. Eight passengers died on the spot while the other passenger died upon admission at Shamva Hospital.”
The injured, numbering eight, were rushed to various hospitals for treatment. Commissioner Nyathi confirmed their distribution: “Eight of the injured victims are admitted at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Bindura Hospital and Shamva Hospital.”
The scale of the tragedy is deeply concerning, highlighting the urgent need for improved road safety measures.
The accident underscores the perilous conditions on Zimbabwe’s roads. The presence of stray livestock on major highways poses a significant threat to motorists. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of encountering unexpected obstacles on the road.
Commissioner Nyathi’s statement also included an appeal for greater caution from motorists: “The Zimbabwe Republic Police implores motorists to exercise extreme caution when travelling on the country’s roads. Above all drivers should prioritize road safety and observe all road rules and regulations in-order to curb road accidents.”
His words carry a weight of urgency, reflecting the gravity of the situation and the need for a collective effort to improve road safety. The police are likely to investigate the circumstances surrounding the presence of the stray cows on the highway, potentially leading to investigations into cattle herding practices in the area. It is now a criminal offence in Zimbabwe for farmers and villagers to let their livestock stray to high ways and resulting in road accidents.
