The Zimbabwe Republic Police has released the names of 17 people who died in a series of road traffic accidents that occurred across different parts of the country on 17 December.
In a statement issued on Saturday, police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said all the deceased had been formally identified by their relatives following three separate crashes in Nyamapanda, Ruwa and Nyabira
Nyamapanda crash claims 10 lives
The deadliest of the incidents occurred along the Harare–Nyamapanda Road near Suswe, where 10 people were killed in a head-on collision involving a Honda Fit and a haulage truck.
Police said the crash happened between 11:30am and midday at the 185-kilometre peg when the Honda Fit, which was travelling from Mutoko to Kotwa and carrying 10 occupants, veered into the path of an oncoming truck heading towards Harare. All passengers in the Honda Fit died on the spot, while none of the four occupants in the truck sustained fatal injuries.
The victims were identified as:
Gachirai Tahwina (36), of Chinzanga, Mutoko
Anesu Nyani (25), of Glen View 3, Harare
Kudakwashe Mudiwakure (33), of Kaitano Village, Mudzi
Rumbidzai Musimbiro (48), of Maruza Village, Mudzi
Tadiwanashe Nyandoro (32), of Maruza Village, Mudzi
Miriam Portia Kunaka (30), of Tsiko Village, Mudzi
Moilla Kunaka (26), of Tsiko Village, Mudzi
Shannel Muchato (2), of Tsiko Village, Mudzi
Lucas Morais Jone (28)
Nenyasha Mapato (1 year 6 months), of Tsiko Village, Mudzi
Three die in Ruwa kombi accident
In a second accident along the Harare–Mutare Road near Masimba Gardens in Ruwa, three people were killed and 15 others injured after a Toyota Hiace kombi overturned.
The accident occurred around 11:45am at the 32.5-kilometre peg. Police said the kombi was carrying 18 passengers when a rear tyre burst, causing the driver to lose control before the vehicle overturned and landed on its side.
Those who died were identified as:
Dorothy Chizuva (45), of Mupanga Village, Glendale
Victoria Manjokoto (16), of Stoneridge, Harare
Carlos Ganyaupfu (35), of Eastview, Harare
Four killed near Nyabira
Later in the afternoon, four people lost their lives in another crash along the Harare–Chirundu Road near Nyabira. The accident occurred at about 2pm at the 37-kilometre peg when a minibus carrying 14 passengers suffered a rear tyre burst, overturned several times and landed on its left side.
The victims were named as:
Mutsikwa Mudzimba (44), of Hatfield, Harare
Nicholas Esaya (20), of Damba Village, Mhangura
Kisha Chitundu (9 months), of Kilimadagi Village, Mapinga
Joel Gogo (70), of Budiriro 3, Harare
Commissioner Nyathi conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and urged motorists to exercise caution on the roads.
“Motorists are reminded to strictly observe road rules and regulations in order to protect lives,” he said.
