Moffat Mungazi
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
TRAGEDY struck Rusape recently when Lyvine Mapiye’s (18) life was cut short in a devastating train accident.
His friends and family were left to mourn the loss of a young man who had his whole life ahead of him.
What makes Lyvine’s death even more tragic is that it occurred just two days before he reported for recruitment as either a soldier or prison officer in Harare.
When tragedy struck, he was training in preparation for his recruitment, and his death left his loved ones wondering what could have happened.
Lyvine was buried at his rural home in Chihota, the very day he was supposed to present himself to one of the prospective employers.
So painful, but that was it!
His father, Mr Bevin Mapiye, was at loss of words.
“An accident is an accident, and there is nothing we can do to reverse it. It is painful, of course, as he was on the verge of either joining the army or prison service. He left home around 7am to jog in preparation for his official presentation on Monday.
“I was shocked to receive the news, and when I rushed to the scene, he was in pain crying for help. Unfortunately, little was done to assist him as they insisted on waiting for the police and ambulance to arrive. I had offered to seek alternative transportation to ferry him to the hospital, but to no avail.
“I was the one who picked up one of the amputated legs from the rail track. It was a ghastly sight, but there was nothing I could do. He lost a significant amount of blood. In fact, bleeding stopped while he was still at the scene. When he was eventually taken to Rusape General Hospital, the medical staff struggled to draw blood from him to establish his blood group. They finally managed to get a few drops around 1pm,” he said.
As the community mourns the loss of this young man, steps must be taken to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future. It is alleged that Lyvine had earphones plugged into his ears, which prevented him from hearing the blaring horn of the train.
His untimely death, after being run over by a train, highlights the dangers posed by trains and vehicles to athletes and fitness trainers at Rusape Flyover, and more importantly the risks associated with wearing earphones or earpods while jogging or walking near railway lines and busy roads.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings, especially when walking or jogging along railway lines or roads.
These devices can be a distraction, preventing individuals from hearing important sounds, such as warning horns or sirens.
In Lyvine’s case, earphones proved to be a fatal distraction.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesman, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said the accident involved a red train 19DN loco, that was being operated by Kudakwashe Mandityira (50).
“On March 22, 2025, at around 8am, Mandityira was operating a locomotive goods train along Harare-Mutare Railway Line with no passengers on board.
The train was loaded with 610 tonnes of chrome, which were Beira-bound.
The victim was jogging along the same route towards Mutare while plugging some earphones in his ears.
“Upon approaching the 103km peg along the same line, the goods train hit the victim from behind. He sustained an amputated left leg, right foot and a cut on the head. He was ferried to Rusape General Hospital by an ambulance for treatment, and his condition was serious. At around 1pm, he died at the hospital,” he said.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka encouraged individuals to be mindful of their surroundings and to avoid distractions, such as earphones or earpods, that can put their lives at risk.
“When exercising or jogging, it is advisable to avoid wearing earphones or earpods, as they can be a distraction. You will not hear vital warning sounds, such as car horns or train whistles. It is recommended to jog or exercise facing the direction of oncoming traffic to avoid being hit from behind.
“We have witnessed a number of accidents of this nature, and people should exercise caution when jogging or exercising near railway lines or roads to avoid injuries or loss of lives. It is crucial to be aware of your surroundings and potential hazards to ensure your safety,” he said.
Joggers often wear earphones or earpods during exercise due to the motivational and distracting benefits of music.
Listening to upbeat music can boost their mood, energy, and endurance, helping them push through challenging workouts.
The rhythmic beats can also synchronise with their footsteps, creating a sense of cadence and pace.
However, motorists have been complaining about the haphazard jogging and exercising routines at the Rusape Flyover.
They claim that joggers are running recklessly, ignoring traffic rules and posing a risk to themselves and others.
“Joggers at the area refuse to yield to traffic, even when hooted at. It is crucial to exercise extreme caution while driving through the Rusape Flyover in the morning due to the high number of joggers. Lack of control and regulation has created a free-for-all situation that urgently needs attention,” said Mr Never Marange.
Fitness trainer, Mr Robert Mugorosa said to stay safe while training, athletes should be mindful of their environment, and keep the volume low enough to hear warning signs.
“Music serves as a distraction from physical discomfort, fatigue, and mental stress, allowing joggers to focus on their performance and goals. Exercising with music can be a form of escapism, providing a temporary reprieve from work-related thoughts and pressures. By immersing themselves in music, joggers can clear their minds, recharge, and return to their work responsibilities with renewed vigour and productivity.
“However, they should wear bright or reflective clothing to increase visibility, especially in low-light conditions. Jogging facing traffic allows them to see oncoming vehicles and react accordingly. Additionally, jogging on designated paths or sidewalks, and being mindful of road signs and markings, can also minimise the risk of accidents. Staying aware and vigilant is key to a safe jogging experience,” said Mr Mugorosa.
Online Reporter