A tragic end to 2024 unfolded across Zimbabwe as three fatal road accidents claimed the lives of three people and injured ten others on New Year’s Eve. The incidents, spread across the country, highlight the ongoing dangers on Zimbabwean roads and underscore the need for increased road safety awareness and enforcement.
The most serious accident occurred along the Harare-Chirundu Road at approximately 8 pm on December 31st. According to national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, an Isuzu KB 250 vehicle sideswiped a Toyota Probox carrying thirteen passengers. This collision resulted in three fatalities and ten injuries.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms a fatal road traffic accident which occurred on December 31, 2024 at around 2000 hours at the 136 kilometre peg along Harare -Chirundu Road. Three people were killed while ten others were injured when an Isuzu KB 250 vehicle side swiped with a Toyota Probox vehicle with 13 passengers on board,” Commissioner Nyathi stated in an official police report.
The victims’ bodies were transported to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations, while the injured were admitted to the same hospital for treatment. The extent of the injuries sustained by those injured remains unclear at this time.
Adding to the grim toll of the day, a separate hit-and-run incident occurred on the Harare-Bulawayo Road. This accident, which took place at a roundabout near the 213-kilometre peg, claimed the life of a young man and left his mother injured.
Commissioner Nyathi detailed the incident: “Police in Kwekwe are investigating a fatal hit and run road traffic accident which occurred at a roundabout at the 213 kilometre peg along the Harare–Bulawayo Road on December 31, 2024. A young man was killed while his mother was injured after being run over by the trailer of a haulage truck which was circling the roundabout. The victims were standing in the traffic roundabout island when the incident occurred.”
The reckless driver responsible for this tragedy fled the scene, leaving behind a trail of devastation and unanswered questions. Police in Kwekwe are actively investigating the incident to identify and apprehend the culpable driver.
A third fatal accident occurred in Harare near the National Sports Stadium on December 31st at approximately 9:30 pm. An unidentified man was struck and killed by an unknown motorist who failed to stop after the accident.
Commissioner Nyathi provided details of this incident: “Meanwhile, a yet to be identified man was killed after being hit by an unknown motorist who did not stop after the accident along Harare-Bulawayo Road near the National Sports Stadium in Harare on December 31, 2024, at around 2130 hours. The body was taken to Sally Mugabe Hospital mortuary for post mortem. Anyone with information to report at any nearest Police Station,” he stated.
The police are appealing to the public for any information that could assist in their investigation into this hit-and-run incident. The identity of the deceased remains unknown pending formal identification procedures.
