MUTOKO – Police have called on motorists to “avoid reckless driving” after a horrifying head-on collision that killed 17 people along the Harare-Nyamapanda highway late Sunday – the single deadliest crash yet for Zimbabwe this festive season.
An Isuzu KB double cab travelling towards Murewa smashed with a BMW, killing 14 people on the spot. Three more died on admission to Mukoto Hospital.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges drivers to be considerate on the roads, avoid reckless driving conduct especially trying to overtake in situations which are not safe,” police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said in a statement, signalling human error was a factor in the crash.
“Motorists should not exceed the loading capacity of vehicles when carrying goods and passengers. Let us all remember that road safety is a collective responsibility.”
Last night police had identified 8 victims – aged between 1 and 39.
These are Sandra Kanobata, 19, Abigail Chitimba, 30, Major Mushumbi, 7, Ngaakudzwe Nkolomah, 1, Nyasha Chikuza, 7, Masimba Rutsito, 39, Kupakwashe Rutsito, 13, and Samuel Mapuranga, 2.
The Civil Protection Department has recommended the accident be declared a national disaster.
In a separate incident, one passenger died and 10 others were injured when an Inter Africa Bus travelling from Harare to Mutare veered off the road and flipped.
Meanwhile, details have emerged of circumstances that led to another horrendous accident that killed a prominent Highlanders fan based in Gwanda late Sunday.
Mandla Maseko was found inexplicably perched on a tree after apparently being ejected from his crashing SUV.
A cop who attended the scene told ZimLive that Maseko lost control of his car after hitting a Honda Fit that had encroached his lane.
The Honda Fit occupants were treated and discharged while two of those who were travelling with Maseko remain hospitalized. Another survivor has since been discharged, the officer said.
