Harare – Eleven lives were tragically lost in a horrific collision between a commuter omnibus (kombi) and a haulage truck in Kuwadzana, Harare, on Thursday morning. The accident, which occurred near Magetsi along the Harare-Bulawayo Road, has once again highlighted the dangers of this notorious stretch of highway.
The accident happened early Thursday morning when a Greater Harare Association of Commuter Operators (GHACO) kombi, travelling from Kuwadzana 7 towards the Harare central business district, collided with an oncoming truck.
Graphic videos circulating on social media show the mangled wreckage of the kombi lying on its side, spanning both lanes of the road. Distressing scenes depict members of the public desperately attempting to rescue survivors and recover bodies from the twisted metal. The images reveal a scene of utter devastation, with lifeless bodies strewn across the roadway.
Eyewitness accounts paint a grim picture of the events leading up to the crash. Witnesses allege the kombi driver misjudged a turn in front of the oncoming truck, failing to complete the manoeuvre in time. The resulting impact, at the kombi’s centre, was catastrophic, ejecting passengers through the windows. Motorists were forced to navigate a harrowing path around the victims scattered on the road.
The accident site, at the Kuwadzana 7 turn-off, also known as Pamagetsi, off Bulawayo Road, has gained a grim reputation as a black spot.
Kuwadzana West Member of Parliament, Hon. Johnson Matambo, expressed his deep concern, stating, “This location has become a black spot for accidents, and I urge relevant stakeholders to take action immediately. We witness fatal accidents here every month. Just last time, schoolchildren died in the same area, and the frequency of these incidents is alarming.”
He further emphasized the urgency of the situation: “It’s a busy and dangerous place. People died here last week as well. I have alerted the ZRP and the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe about this issue. We need engineering solutions to reduce the ongoing accidents.”
His comments underscore the persistent danger and the need for immediate intervention to prevent future tragedies.
A local first aid organisation confirmed the tragic toll of eleven fatalities.
In a statement, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi provided further details. He confirmed that a Toyota Hiace kombi, carrying an undetermined number of passengers, collided with a fuel tanker that had no passengers on board. Commissioner Nyathi stated that the kombi had turned right into Bulawayo Road in front of the oncoming fuel tanker.
The bodies of the victims were taken to Sally Mugabe Hospital mortuary for post-mortem, while the injured were admitted to the same hospital. He noted that five victims had not yet been identified by their next of kin.
Commissioner Nyathi added that further details regarding the accident would be provided at a later time, as authorities continue to investigate. He urged motorists to adhere to the country’s road rules and regulations to help reduce accidents and avoid speeding.
In a separate incident on October 30, 2024, another tragic accident occurred on the Harare-Masvingo Road, resulting in two fatalities. The accident took place at around 3:30 PM at the 225-kilometer peg when a Toyota Land Cruiser veered off the road, overturned, and landed on its wheels. The bodies of the deceased were taken to Mvuma Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations.
Five others were injured in this accident, with four victims receiving treatment at Mvuma Hospital and one referred to a hospital in Harare for further medical care. Authorities are investigating both incidents to establish the circumstances surrounding these tragic accidents. Further details will be provided as the investigations progress.
The ZRP urges all motorists to exercise caution on the roads and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent further tragedies.
