Black Wednesday”: Police Release Names Of 17 People Killed In Road Accidents

By Knowledge Muneri

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has released the names of 17 people who lost their lives in three separate road traffic accidents that occurred on December 17 in Nyamapanda, Nyabira, and Ruwa. In a statement issued on Saturday, December 20, ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the victims had been positively identified by their next of kin.

First Incident: Nyamapanda

In the first incident, 10 people died in a head-on collision involving a Honda Fit and a haulage truck along the Harare-Nyamapanda Road. The crash occurred between 11:30 AM and noon at the 185-kilometre peg near the Suswe area. The Honda Fit, which was carrying 10 occupants and traveling from Mutoko to Kotwa, collided head-on with a haulage truck heading towards Harare. The truck had four occupants, but none were reported dead.

The victims have been identified as follows:

- Gachirai Tahwina (36), a male adult of Chinzanga, Mutoko – Honda Fit driver
- Anesu Nyani (25), a female adult of Glen View 3, Harare
- Kudakwashe Mudiwakure (33), a male adult of Kaitano Village, Mudzi
- Rumbidzai Musimbiro (48), a female adult of Maruza Village, Mudzi
- Tadiwanashe Nyandoro (32), a female adult of Maruza Village, Mudzi
- Miriam Portia Kunaka (30), a female adult of Tsiko Village, Mudzi
- Moilla Kunaka (26), a female adult of Tsiko Village, Mudzi
- Shannel Muchato (2), a juvenile of Tsiko Village, Mudzi
- Lucas Morais Jone (28), a male adult
- Nenyasha Mapato (1 year 6 months), an infant of Tsiko Village, Mudzi

Second Incident: Ruwa

In the second accident, which occurred on the same day, three people were killed and 15 others injured when a Toyota Hiace kombi overturned along the Harare-Mutare Road near Masimba Gardens in Ruwa. The accident occurred at around 11:45 AM at the 32.5-kilometre peg. Police said the kombi was carrying 18 passengers when its right rear tyre burst, causing the driver to lose control.

The victims have been identified as follows:

- Dorothy Chizuva (45), a female adult of Mupanga Village, Glendale
- Victoria Manjokoto (16), a female juvenile of Stoneridge, Harare
- Carlos Ganyaupfu (35), a male adult of Eastview, Harare

Third Incident: Nyabira

In the third incident, four people died in a crash near Nyabira when a minibus carrying 14 passengers overturned several times before coming to rest on its left side. The accident occurred at around 2 pm at the 37-kilometre peg along the Harare-Chirundu Road, following the burst of the vehicle’s rear right tyre.

The victims have been identified as follows:

- Mutsikwa Mudzimba (44), a male adult of Meadow Crescent, Hatfield, Harare
- Nicholas Esaya (20), a male adult of Damba Village, Mhangura
- Kisha Chitundu (9 months), an infant of Kilimadagi Village, Mapinga
- Joel Gogo (70), a male adult of Budiriro 3, Harare

Commissioner Nyathi expressed condolences to the families of the victims and appealed to drivers to consider road safety while traveling on the country’s roads. He emphasized the importance of observing all road rules and regulations to safeguard human lives.