16 Killed in Zimbabwe Head-On Collision as Police Releases Names of Victims

A devastating head-on collision between a haulage truck and a Mercedes Benz Sprinter carrying 44 passengers on the Harare-Masvingo road in Zimbabwe claimed the lives of 16 people, including members of the Angels Family Apostolic Church who were traveling to the Makumimavi Shrine in Chivhu.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the fatal road traffic accident occurred around 4 PM at the 53-kilometer peg along the busy highway on Saturday.

According to police reports, the accident involved three vehicles. The haulage truck, traveling towards Harare, initially hit a VW Polo vehicle from behind. This caused the truck to veer into the oncoming lane, where it crashed head-on with the overloaded Sprinter kombi.

Fourteen passengers died on the spot, while one succumbed to injuries at Beatrice Hospital. The truck driver was also seriously injured in the crash.

The police have released the names of 11 of the 16 victims, which include both children and adults from the church group. Among the deceased minors were Elisha Jack (6), Elija Jack (5), Ezra Jack (1), Leeroy Kido (8), Lloyd Kido (4), and Kelly Kwenda (3), all from Epworth. The adult victims identified were Joyce Mudzinzwa (44), Prudence Mahachi (31), Talent Rangwa (23), Elmod Ncube (18), and Decision Maizivei (26).

Why this matters: This tragic incident highlights the ongoing issue of road safety in Zimbabwe and the need for increased awareness and enforcement of traffic laws. The loss of so many lives, including six minors among the victims, underscores the devastating impact of such accidents on families and communities.

In the aftermath of the accident, the injured victims were admitted to Chitungwiza Hospital, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to Chivhu General Hospital mortuary for post-mortem. National Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi urged motorists to be observant and adhere to speed limits on the roads to prevent further loss of life. "The ZRP urges motorists to be vigilant when driving and to observe speed limits to safeguard lives," he stated. Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the collision.

Key Takeaways

• 16 killed in head-on collision between truck and overloaded bus in Zimbabwe
• Accident involved 3 vehicles, with 14 dying on the spot and 1 at hospital
• Victims include 6 minors from the Angels Family Apostolic Church group
• Highlights ongoing road safety issues in Zimbabwe, need for enforcement
• Police urge motorists to observe speed limits to prevent further loss of life