Road to remembrance claims 3 lives 

 

Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter

 

A SOMBRE mood engulfed Nyanga after three family members perished in a horrific road accident during the Heroes holiday while travelling to their rural home to pay their respects to their departed loved ones by erecting tombstones.

 

The victims – Maud Gweshe (60), Nenyasha Zengeni (five), and Jane Katerere (58) – were travelling to Ruwangwe, when the Isuzu KB single cab vehicle they were in, carrying seven passengers and the driver, was involved in an accident, and died on the spot.

 

All the victims who died on the spot were related, and all from Chief Katerere’s area.

 

Maud Gweshe, from Munemo Village, and Nenyasha Zengeni, from Pfigu Village, suffered severe head injuries and multiple fractures.

 

Jane Katerere, also from Pfigu Village, succumbed to severe head injuries.

 

The Nyanga accident is among the 196 crashes reported across the country during the Heroes and Defence Forces holiday.

 

In a statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police reported a sharp increase in road traffic accidents during the 2025 Heroes and Defence Forces holidays, with 196 crashes recorded nationwide.

 

This represents a rise from the previous year. The accidents, primarily caused by reckless driving, mechanical faults, speeding, and overtaking errors, resulted in 24 deaths and 96 injuries.

 

This is up from 16 fatalities and 77 injuries in 2024. Provincial statistics were not available at the time of reporting, as police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi was unreachable for a comment.

 

However, acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the Nyanga devastating accident, and urged motorists to ensure that their vehicles are mechanically sound before embarking on long-distance journeys.

 

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of life in this tragic accident. Preliminary investigations indicate that the driver lost control of the vehicle due to suspected brake failure. We urge drivers to ensure that their vehicles are serviced and roadworthy, especially ahead of long holiday trips, and to exercise extreme caution on our roads. Investigations into the exact cause of the accident are ongoing,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.

 

Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said the accident occurred on August 8, along the Nyanga-Rwenya Road, approximately 48 kilometres from Nyanga urban.

 

The vehicle veered off the road, overturned twice, and landed on its right side.

 

Five other passengers, including the driver, Crispen Mukonda, were injured and are currently admitted at Nyanga District Hospital.

 

The injured include two men from Epworth, Mukonda and Patson Kamata, a nine-year-old boy, and two villagers from Chief Katerere’s area, Matthew Gweshe and 65-year-old Magret Mukweva, who are in serious condition.

 

“On August 8 at around 4pm, Mukonda was driving an Isuzu KB single cab motor vehicle along Nyanga-Rwenya Road towards Ruwangwe with seven passengers on board. On approaching the 48km peg, he lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road, overturned twice, and landed on its right side. Three passengers died on the spot, while the driver and four passengers sustained injuries,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.

 

The bodies of the deceased were conveyed to Nyanga District Hospital mortuary.

 

The vehicle sustained extensive body damage and is being held at ZRP Nyanga awaiting inspection by inspectors from the Vehicle Examination Department (VED).

 

Though deceased’s next of kin had been informed, efforts to obtain an official comment from the family were unsuccessful, as they are still grappling with their grief.

 

Family spokesperson, Mr Charles Katerere confirmed the tragedy, but felt the matter was too sensitive, and refused to discuss it over the phone.

 

“This is a very painful moment for us, and such matters are better discussed face-to-face, not over the phone. The matter is very sensitive, and honestly, if you really need our comment, then you will have to be on the ground,” he said briefly.

 

However, The Manica Post has it on good authority that the family members were on a journey to fulfil a cultural and emotional duty when tragedy struck, cutting short their mission to honour their fallen loved ones.

 

Villagers who spoke on condition of anonymity described the deaths as a devastating blow to two closely-knit communities, bound by kinship ties.

One of the deceased’s relative recounted her last moments with two of the accident victims.

 

“Nenyasha’s grandmother had come to Nyanga from Katerere to collect her grandchild, who had arrived for the holidays. She decided to wait for the car carrying the tombstones, which their uncles were bringing from Harare. She the boarded the Isuzu to join other family members travelling from Harare for the tombstone unveiling. We are in so much pain because, had we known, they would not have boarded that car,” said the relative.

 

The relative said the trip was meant to be a journey of remembrance and unity, a way to pay respects to the departed. Instead, it turned into a devastating loss that left relatives and neighbours struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.

 

“They were happy and looking forward to the journey. It is so sad, such a terrible, painful thing for the family,” added the relative.

 

The group they joined was part of a convoy headed for a significant cultural and family event. The relative described the tragedy as a blow that would be felt for years.

 

“Losing three people at once from the same extended family is too much to bear. The scar will last forever. To think that they died on their way to pay respect to departed family members makes it even more painful. Surely, pakafamba satani,” said the relative.