Harare-Masvingo horror crash victims named
By Delicious Mathuthu
Police have released eleven names of the 16 victims who died in a road traffic accident that occured along the Harare-Masvingo highway on Friday (26/04/2024).
Of the eleven that have been identified by their next of kin, six were juveniles below the age of nine and nine were Epworth residents; one was from Buhera.
The remaining five are yet to be identified by their relatives.
The deceased are:
- Joyce Mudzinzwa (44), female, of 14444 Epworth Overspill, Harare.
•Kelly Kwenda (3), female, of 146 Epworth, Harare.
•Elisha Jack (6), male, of 1794 Epworth Overspill, Harare.
•Elija Jack Tawananyasha (5), male, of 1794, Epworth Overspill, Harare.
•Ezra Jack (1), male, of 1794 Epworth Overspill, Harare.
•Prudence Mahachi (31), female, of 1794 Epworth Overspill, Harare.
•Talent Rangwa (23), female, of 20278 Epworth Overspill, Harare.
•Leeroy Kido (8), male, of 20278 Epworth Overspill, Harare.
•Lloyd Kido (4), male, of 20278 Epworth Overspill, Harare.
•Elmod Ncube (18), male, of 20278 Epworth Overspill, Harare.
•Decision Maizivei (26), male, of Madheu Village under Chief Nyashanu in Buhera.
The death toll rose from 15 yesterday to 16 today (27/04/2024) after one of the 29 injured victims passed on at Chitungwiza Hospital.
Police investigations into the cause of the accident reveal that a Harare bound haulage truck bumped into a VW hatchback before veering into on-coming traffick.
Resultantly the truck crashed headon into an oncoming omnibus with 44 passengers on board.
“… an Adolph haulage truck with no passengers on board, which was travelling towards Harare, hit a VW Polo vehicle from behind.
“The VW polo vehicle was travelling towards Harare with no passengers on board. As a result, the haulage truck veered off the road to the oncoming lane and was involved in a head on collision with a Mercedes Bernz Sprinter which was travelling towards Chivhu with 44 passengers on board,” Police National Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said.
On board the omnibus were members of the Angels Family Apostolic Church who were heading to Makumumavi Shrine in Chivhu.
Injured victims are currently admitted at Chitungwiza Hospital, while bodies of the accident victims were ferried to Chivhu General Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem.
Asst. Com. Nyathi said Police urge drivers to be
observant when on the road and stick to stipulated speed limits.
“Above all, drivers are implored to abide by the road rules and regulations to safeguard human lives,” he added.
