Online Reporter
Herald Reporters
SEVEN people were killed while eight others were injured early yesterday morning when a commuter omnibus they were travelling in collided with a haulage truck along Harare-Bulawayo Road at the Dzivaresekwa turn-off.
The accident occurred near Thuli Service Station, a spot notorious for fatal road accidents, commonly referred to as Pamagetsi.
According to the police, the commuter omnibus failed to stop at a traffic light-controlled intersection, resulting in a collision with the haulage truck. The impact caused the kombi to also collide with a Nissan UD truck.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the incident.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms a fatal road traffic accident involving three vehicles—a Toyota Hiace kombi, a haulage truck and a UD 70 truck—which occurred early this morning on March 19, 2025, at the intersection of Bulawayo Road and Dzivaresekwa turn-off near Thuli Service Station.
“Seven people were killed, while eight others were injured. It is alleged that the kombi driver failed to give way at the traffic lights-controlled junction, resulting in the accident. More details will be released in due course,” he said.
Eyewitnesses told The Herald that the kombi driver may have caused the accident while attempting to pick up a passenger.
“The commuter omnibus was coming from Dzivaresekwa and was waved to stop by a passenger. The driver stopped the vehicle a few metres away and then decided to reverse to pick up the passenger. During the process, he was hit from behind by the haulage truck, causing the kombi to crash into the Nissan UD70 truck in front. We rushed to help before contacting the police and ambulances,” one eyewitness said.
This tragic incident follows a similar accident in November last year, when a commuter omnibus driver turned into the lane of an oncoming fuel tanker along the Harare-Bulawayo Road at the Kuwadzana turn-off.
That accident claimed seven lives and left many injured.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona, expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
“It is with deep sorrow and sadness that I have received news on the fatal road traffic crash that occurred this morning at the intersection of Bulawayo Road and Dzivaresekwa Road. Tragically, seven people died whilst eight others were seriously injured when the driver of a commuter omnibus failed to give way and collided with a haulage truck.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and on my own behalf, I convey our deepest condolences to all the bereaved families. We mourn the demise of young men and women who perished in this crash.”
