KWEKWE – A tragic road accident near the Sebakwe River, along the Harare-Bulawayo Highway, has claimed the lives of twelve people this Tuesday, 27 May 2025. The devastating collision, which occurred around 10:30 in the morning, involved a fuel tanker, a small lorry, and a Nissan AD van operating as an illegal taxi, commonly known as a “mushika shika”.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the accident, stating that six women and six men travelling in the Nissan AD van perished in the crash. Two other people sustained injuries.
According to eyewitness accounts, the fuel tanker, which was travelling from Harare towards Kwekwe, initially sideswiped a small lorry.
While the lorry driver escaped with minor injuries and minimal damage to their vehicle, the tanker driver lost control as they approached a curve. Unable to navigate the turn, the tanker veered into the path of the oncoming Nissan AD van, which was en route from Kwekwe to Indarama.
The impact was catastrophic. The fuel tanker collided head-on with the AD van, dragging it for several metres before overturning and landing on top of it. The occupants of the AD van were trapped inside the mangled wreckage.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi provided a detailed account of the incident, stating: “The fuel tanker first hit the two-tonne truck as it was going in the opposite direction. It then had a head-on collision with the AD Van going in the opposite direction. Subsequently, the tanker dragged the AD Van for several metres and then overturned before falling on top of the AD Van. The fuel tanker was travelling from Harare towards Kwekwe. The occupants in the AD Van were trapped inside.”
The scene was described as horrific, with the AD van completely crushed beneath the weight of the tanker. Adding to the danger, the tanker began leaking fuel, creating a significant risk of fire. However, emergency services managed to avert a potential explosion.
Midlands Province Officer Commanding Operations, Assistant Commissioner Martin Matambo, commended the swift response of the emergency services. “The civil protection team was then swiftly called in to come and remove the tanker as well as retrieve the bodies of those who perished. The swift removal of the tanker helped in saving lives as it could have exploded causing further losses of lives,” he said.
Kwekwe City Council Head of Fire Department Mr Admire Musarakufa noted: “Our critical task was to remove the tanker which was full of fuel. The place was also cordoned off to prevent passengers and motorists from causing unnecessary scene. We managed to use our fighter-fighting trucks to avert the truck from bursting into flames.”
The bodies of the twelve victims were transported to Kwekwe General Hospital for post-mortem examinations. Authorities are working to identify the deceased and will release their names once all necessary procedures have been completed.
The accident prompted a swift response from local authorities and emergency services. Kwekwe City Council deployed three fire tenders, while Redcliff Municipality provided one. Development partners also contributed by providing towing vehicles and ambulances to transport the injured.
The local political leadership praised the Second Republic for procuring fire tenders that are now proving invaluable during such emergencies. Zibagwe Chirumanzu council’s Ward 2 Councillor Basilio Mutosvori remarked: “It is only through visionary leadership that we now see service delivery coming on board in times of need. Today we could have witnessed something else had President Emmerson Mnangagwa not availed such trucks. We are seeing fruits of devolution.”
This tragic accident underscores the ongoing challenges of road safety in Zimbabwe, particularly involving public transport vehicles operating outside the bounds of the law. The use of Nissan AD vans as pirate taxis, often overloaded and poorly maintained, has become a common practice due to the shortage of affordable and reliable transport options. However, these vehicles pose a significant risk to passengers and other road users.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are currently underway. Police will be examining factors such as driver error, vehicle condition, and road conditions to determine the circumstances that led to the devastating collision.
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