Harare – The family of Tinashe Sibanda, a 27-year-old man who had been missing since March 14, are mourning his tragic death after his body was discovered at Parirenyatwa Hospital mortuary. The discovery brings a heartbreaking end to a frantic search that began when Sibanda mysteriously disappeared from his usual work location.
Sibanda, known to his community, was last seen at Rezende Parkade in Harare’s city centre, a bustling hub for “mushikashika” – the often-unlicensed pirate taxis that provide transport for many Zimbabweans. He operated a mushikashika from town to the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) and was last seen at the Rezende Parkade area where the pirate taxis to UZ operate from.
After days of fruitless searching, a close relative and neighbour confirmed that Tinashe’s body was found at the mortuary. Preliminary investigations suggest that he succumbed to injuries sustained after being struck by a vehicle.
“He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and grey jean,” a relative recounted, describing the last known sighting of Sibanda. “He was working in Waterfalls where they noticed his absence from work. So, they checked with his brother, and that’s when they realised that he was nowhere to be found.”
The relative added that concern grew rapidly when Sibanda’s phone became unreachable. “His phone was no longer reachable and that’s when people started to panic and search for him,” the relative explained.
The mystery surrounding Sibanda’s disappearance deepened until relatives were advised to check at Parirenyatwa Hospital mortuary. This led to the grim discovery that brought their search to a sorrowful conclusion.
Horrific Details Emerge of Hit-and-Run Incident
It has since emerged that Tinashe suffered fatal head injuries as a result of a road accident along Second Street Extension. Reports indicate that the driver of the vehicle that initially struck Sibanda did stop at the scene and contacted the police. However, due to the extent of his injuries, the police were unable to identify him.
A neighbour provided a harrowing account of the events, stating that Sibanda was subsequently hit by multiple vehicles after the initial impact.
“He was hit by a car while crossing Second Street Extension and entering into Norfolk Road,” the neighbour said. “The driver then stopped trying to call the police before other three cars came and hit, dragging him.”
The neighbour’s account paints a picture of a chaotic and tragic scene, with Sibanda suffering catastrophic injuries. “He died on the spot, and he couldn’t be identified due to the damage to his face,” the neighbour explained.
The devastating injuries made visual identification impossible, leaving Sibanda unidentified for days. “His brother eventually visited Parirenyatwa and identified him by his phone and clothes otherwise, his face is crushed,” the neighbour added.
Driver’s Anguish and Search for Family
Amidst the tragedy, a glimmer of humanity has emerged. It is understood that the driver involved in the initial accident has been diligently trying to locate Sibanda’s family, demonstrating a sense of responsibility and remorse.
“The guy has been checking with the police, trying to establish if they had found the relatives,” a neighbour confirmed. It has also been reported that the driver has been visiting Parirenyatwa Hospital almost daily in an attempt to connect with Sibanda’s family.
The death of Tinashe Sibanda highlights the dangers faced by mushikashika operators, who often work long hours in hazardous conditions to earn a living. It also underscores the importance of road safety and the need for drivers to exercise caution and responsibility on Zimbabwe’s roads.
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