Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba
TWELVE people died on the spot yesterday morning, when a fuel tanker collided with two other vehicles on the Harare–Bulawayo Highway near the Sebakwe River in Kwekwe, Midlands Province. The tragic incident, which occurred around 10:30AM, involved a petrol tanker with two trailers, a two-tonne truck, and a Nissan AD van illegally operating as a taxi from Kwekwe to Ndarama Mine.
Kwekwe District Development Co-ordinator, Mr Fortune Mpungu, confirmed the accident and said the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) responded swiftly, preventing a potential fire outbreak.
“I can confirm that 12 people died on the spot when three vehicles were involved in a freak accident near Sebakwe Bridge. The deceased were in the private vehicle pirating between Kwekwe and Ndarama Mine,” he said.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, also confirmed the incident in a post on X, stating that the crash occurred at the 200-kilometre peg on the Harare–Bulawayo Road.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms a fatal road traffic accident, which occurred near Sebakwe River. A petrol tanker, a two-tonne truck and a Nissan AD van with 12 occupants were involved. All 12 occupants in the van died on the spot,” he said.
Commissioner Nyathi said preliminary investigations revealed that the fuel tanker, which was travelling towards Kwekwe from Harare, first sideswiped the oncoming two-tonne truck before colliding head-on with the AD van.
“The tanker then dragged the van for several metres before overturning and landing on top of it. All occupants were trapped inside,” he said.
Officer Commanding Police Operations in Midlands Province, Assistant Commissioner Martin Matambo, who visited the crash site, confirmed that the deceased included six males and six females.
He commended the Kwekwe CPU for its rapid response in securing the scene and preventing the overturned fuel tanker from exploding.
“The timely action by the Civil Protection Unit was critical in preventing what could have been an even more devastating disaster.
“As police, we continue to urge motorists to exercise extreme caution on the country’s highways, particularly when driving near fuel tankers and heavy-duty vehicles,” said Assistant Commissioner Matambo.
The bodies of the victims were taken to Kwekwe District Hospital for post-mortem examinations.
