Woman, miner killed in high-speed police chase

A 33-year-old miner and an unidentified woman died instantly when their vehicle crashed into a tree during a high speed chase involving a police car in Mkoba 11, Gweru.

The tragic incident occurred at around 10:30 PM on Monday along Bristol Road.

One of the deceased has been identified as Mr Taurai Mhlanga, who was driving the Toyota Aqua. The identity of the female passenger remains unknown.

Witnesses reported that the accident followed a high-speed chase involving a police vehicle driven by Constable Levison Sakala of ZRP Mkoba.

Shockingly, the officer reportedly fled the scene without offering assistance to the victims.

Mourners at a nearby funeral wake expressed outrage and disbelief at the officer’s behaviour.

“We were at a funeral in Mkoba 2 around 10PM when we suddenly heard cars speeding down the road. We went out to check and saw a police vehicle chasing a Toyota Aqua. They went as far as Mkoba 11 and back. Eventually, the Toyota Aqua lost control and crashed into a tree. As we were still trying to process what had happened, the police vehicle sped off. Perhaps the officer feared being attacked by the crowd,” said one of the mourners, Mr Timothy Chuma.

Ms Ropafadzo Ndinei, another witness, said they immediately called for an ambulance.

“The impact was severe. The car was completely wrecked and both the driver and his passenger were already dead when emergency services arrived,” she said.

In an interview yesterday, Taurai’s younger brother, Mr Golden Mhlanga, said the family is devastated and still searching for answers.

“We got the news yesterday morning. Since then, we’ve tried to get information from Mkoba 1 Police Station and even the provincial headquarters but no one is telling us what really happened,” he said.

He added that they later visited the crash site, where mourners from the Mkoba 2 funeral wake recounted the incident.

“All we know is that my brother, who was returning from Shurugwi where he worked as a miner, was being chased by the police. We don’t know why or what triggered the chase.

“What we do know is that he and the woman in his car are gone. Taurai was a father of four and the breadwinner for several extended family members. We just hope that justice will be served,” he said.

In a statement, National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that investigations into the incident are underway.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms that investigations are being conducted in connection with a fatal road traffic accident which occurred along Bristol Road on 28 April 2025 at around 10:30 PM, where two occupants of a Toyota Aqua died on the spot after the vehicle crashed into a tree during a high-speed chase involving Constable Sakala of ZRP Mkoba,” he said.

Commissioner Nyathi also acknowledged that videos related to the incident are circulating on social media and assured the public that action will be taken.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that both criminal and disciplinary action will be taken against Constable Sakala for his conduct,” he said.

He also conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased.