Harare – The death toll from Thursday morning’s tragic collision between a commuter omnibus (kombi) and a fuel tanker at the intersection of First Street and Bulawayo Road in Harare has risen to seven, casting a long shadow over the city.
Distressing footage shows members of the public desperately trying to rescue survivors and recover bodies from the twisted metal. The sheer scale of destruction is evident, with the impact scattering victims across the highway.
The accident, which occurred at a busy intersection, has ignited a firestorm of criticism and calls for stricter road safety measures. The initial reports of multiple fatalities have been confirmed, with seven lives tragically lost and several others injured and receiving treatment at Sally Mugabe Hospital.
The accident occurred when the kombi driver, disregarding traffic signals, proceeded through a red light directly into the path of the oncoming fuel tanker. This reckless disregard for traffic laws has resulted in the driver being charged with culpable homicide, a charge that carries significant legal ramifications.
Culpable homicide, it should be noted, refers to the unlawful killing of another person without intent to kill but with a degree of negligence or recklessness. It is a less severe charge than murder, but still carries serious consequences.
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona, issued a statement expressing profound sorrow and condemning the driver’s actions.
He stated, “Whilst the traffic lights at the intersection were working, it is concerning to note that the driver of the commuter omnibus proceeded when he was supposed to stop. This was reckless and thus a blatant violation of our road traffic rules and regulations. Consequently, the driver is being charged with culpable homicide.”
The Minister’s statement clearly highlights the severity of the situation and the government’s commitment to holding the driver accountable for his actions.
Minister Mhona extended his condolences to the bereaved families, stating, “On behalf of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and on my own behalf, I convey our heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved families. We mourn the demise of young men and women who perished in this crash.”
He also expressed concern for the injured, wishing them a speedy recovery. His words reflect a sense of national mourning and a commitment to supporting those affected by the tragedy.
Beyond expressing sorrow, the Minister also pledged stricter measures to improve road safety.
He added, “The accident is yet another call to all transport operators, motorists, and members of the public to adhere to road traffic rules and exercise caution on the road. I wish to remind and warn all transport operators, motorists, and members of the public that the Ministry will take stern measures to preserve the safety and security of the commuting public.”
This statement underscores the government’s intention to take decisive action to prevent future tragedies.
The accident has also prompted strong reactions from commuter associations. The Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) national coordinator, Tafadzwa Goliati, voiced concerns about reckless driving and the need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws. He highlighted the alarming statistic from the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) that 94 percent of road crashes are caused by human error.
Goliati stated, “Our people are being packed like sardines in these overloaded vehicles. What is worse is that there’s no accountability when accidents happen. No one is held responsible.”
Goliati further condemned the rampant corruption within the transport sector, stating that many offenders evade penalties through bribery. He also drew attention to the alarming practice of unqualified individuals operating public transport vehicles, stating, “Drivers varikuchinjana mota nezvinamira (touts) without drivers licence and this has been normalised. Right now the rumour has it that the driver of the kombi was a mere tout with no licence, so a lot is happening especially when it comes to the urban transport system.”
His comments highlight systemic issues within the transport sector that contribute to the high rate of accidents.
