Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka, Senior Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has declared the horrific road traffic accident that claimed 27 lives along the Harare-Masvingo Highway near Honeyspruit Bridge in Chikomba District, Mashonaland East Province, a State of Disaster.
The declaration will enable Government to mobilise resources and coordinate interventions to assist bereaved families and survivors of one of the country’s deadliest road accidents in recent years.
In a statement yesterday, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said
President Mnangagwa invoked Section 27(1) of the Civil Protection Act [Chapter 10:06] following the tragedy.
The accident occurred at about 8.30 pm on Friday when a heavy truck carrying mining equipment from South Africa and destined for Goromonzi collided head-on with a commuter omnibus transporting members of the African Apostolic (Mwazha) Church.
The church members were travelling from Dema to Ndarikure in Mvuma when tragedy struck.
The collision sparked an immediate fire, trapping several passengers inside the commuter omnibus.
“As at 29 August 2026, 27 people had been confirmed dead. Twenty-four people died on the spot, while three others succumbed to their injuries upon arrival at Chivhu General Hospital,” said Minister Garwe.
Seven other people sustained critical injuries and are receiving treatment at Chivhu General Hospital.
The commuter omnibus driver died at the scene, while the truck driver survived and was taken by ambulance to Harare for further medical treatment. Minister Garwe said Civil Protection structures, working with members of the Chivhu community, moved swiftly to conduct search, rescue and recovery operations.
“Small cranes were used in the recovery of victims, while a fire tender was deployed to extinguish the fire,” he said.
The accident caused major disruption along the busy highway after the heavy truck and the mining equipment blocked the entire carriageway. Minister Garwe said heavy-duty equipment was deployed to remove the wreckage and the road has since been fully reopened to traffic.
The bodies of the victims were taken to Chivhu General Hospital mortuary, where identification and post-mortem examinations are being conducted.
“Government is working closely with the relevant authorities and other stakeholders to consolidate information and establish the identities of the deceased,” said Minister Garwe.
“The names of the victims will be released once the identification process has been completed and the information duly verified.”
Minister Garwe said the declaration of a State of Disaster was necessary to facilitate a coordinated Government response and ensure that affected families and survivors receive the required
assistance.
“The declaration of a State of Disaster will enable the Government to mobilise the necessary resources and coordinate appropriate interventions to assist the affected families and survivors,” he said.
He extended Government’s condolences to the families, relatives and friends of those who died and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
“Government also wishes those injured a speedy and full recovery and assures the nation that all necessary measures are being taken to provide assistance and support to the affected families and survivors,” said Minister Garwe.
The Chivhu tragedy comes barely three weeks after another devastating transport disaster on Lake Kariba, where 97 people died when the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (Rida)-owned Mbuya Nehanda ferry capsized.
The August 11 Lake Kariba disaster, which prompted President Mnangagwa to also declare a State of Disaster, has been described as Zimbabwe’s deadliest maritime tragedy.
Police have since arrested Kariba Rida district head Ignatius Chiome, who is facing a culpable homicide charge in connection with the disaster.
Preliminary findings presented to Cabinet indicate that despite being authorised to carry only 90 passengers, the vessel was carrying up to 180 passengers and heavy cargo when it departed Andora Harbour for Chalala fishing camps.
Investigators are also probing alleged administrative failures, overloading and possible breaches of operational safety procedures, including claims that the vessel was allowed to sail despite weather warnings by Meteorological Services Department over strong south-westerly winds commonly known as the Binga Wave.
The Lake Kariba tragedy triggered a massive multi-agency search and recovery operation involving sub-aqua units and local divers, with bodies retrieved from depths of up to 80 metres.
While investigations into the Kariba disaster continue, the latest tragedy along the Harare-
Masvingo Highway has once again plunged the nation into mourning and brought renewed focus on transport safety.
