A tragic and deeply distressing incident unfolded yesterday afternoon at the intersection of Robert Mugabe Road and Inez Terrace in Harare, leaving a family traumatised and raising serious questions about traffic enforcement, road safety and emergency response.
According to an eyewitness account by veteran broadcaster Barney Mpariwa, the incident began when a white GD6 vehicle with South African GP registration plates turned into Inez Terrace — a one-way street from the Joina City direction that is reportedly poorly marked and easy for motorists to miss.
Police officers quickly apprehended the young driver for driving against the one-way street. He complied without resistance, was instructed to leave the vehicle and directed to the charge office to pay a fine. The charge office is only a few minutes away, and after paying the fine, the driver returned, expecting to continue his journey.
However, on his return, he found his vehicle had been clamped by City of Harare parking marshals. Distressed and attempting to resolve the situation, he ran after one of the marshals to explain and seek the release of his car.
At the same time, police officers nearby were chasing commuter omnibuses and mushikashika vehicles at the corner of Julius Nyerere Way and Robert Mugabe Road — a common enforcement operation in the city. During the pursuit, one of the fleeing vehicles veered off the road and struck the young man.
Witnesses say he was thrown into the air, spinning before his head smashed into a windscreen and he collapsed onto the road.
Shockingly, the injured man reportedly lay on the road for close to an hour without immediate medical assistance or adequate protection from further danger.
The incident unfolded in full view of his young children, who were seated inside the vehicle. Their mother was reportedly at the passport office at the time, unaware that her family’s life had been irrevocably changed.
The tragedy has sparked public outrage and renewed debate over Harare’s road safety and enforcement practices. Questions have been raised over the poor signage of one-way streets, the dangers associated with high-speed police chases in busy urban areas, and the conduct of parking marshals who clamp vehicles without allowing reasonable time for resolution.
Critics argue that the incident represents a systemic failure — where rigid enforcement, poor infrastructure and delayed emergency response combined with devastating consequences.
“This was not just an accident,” Mpariwa said. “It was a collective failure of systems, priorities and compassion.”
The incident has left children traumatised and a family devastated, serving as a stark reminder of the human cost of enforcement practices that prioritise punishment over public safety.
