The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has released the names of five of the six individuals who tragically lost their lives in a horrific road accident on the Harare-Mutare Road. The collision, which occurred at the 142-kilometre peg near Yorkshire in Headlands on 22 June 2025, involved a Honda Fit and a heavy truck and claimed the lives of all six occupants of the smaller vehicle.
ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the identities of the deceased on Tuesday, 24 June 2025, stating that they had been identified by their next of kin. The victims are:
- Portia Choto (29), of Chikanga 1, Mutare.
- Kupakwashe Tandi (3 months), of Chikanga 1, Mutare.
- Rudo Elizabeth Chafa (36), of Budiriro 5, Harare.
- Prince Tashinga Makota (28), of Mutare Rural Camp, Mutare.
- Wadzani Nyoni (37), of Budiriro 1, Harare.
Commissioner Nyathi stated that the name of the sixth victim is still being confirmed, and an update will be provided once their family has been notified.
The accident occurred at approximately 7:30 PM when a Honda Fit, travelling towards Mutare with six passengers, collided head-on with a Sino Howo truck belonging to Chris Logistics, which was travelling towards Harare.
Initial reports suggest that the driver of the Honda Fit attempted to overtake a tractor on a blind curve, allegedly encroaching into the path of the oncoming truck. The impact of the collision was devastating, trapping the Honda Fit beneath the truck and dragging it for approximately 50 metres. All six occupants of the Honda Fit sustained severe injuries and died at the scene.
Rusape General Hospital Medical Superintendent, Dr Stewart Karembo, confirmed receiving the bodies at the hospital mortuary. “According to the report we received, the accident occurred near Yorkshire (Headlands) last night, resulting in the death of all six passengers in the Honda Fit. Their bodies were subsequently brought to Rusape General Hospital mortuary,” he said.
In a separate case, a 20-year-old man from Chinhoyi has received what many are calling a lenient sentence following a devastating road traffic accident that resulted in the death of a pedestrian and injuries to four others.
The Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Court heard that the incident occurred on 17 November 2024, at approximately 4:00 AM, when the offender was driving a Honda Fit northbound on the Chegutu-Chinhoyi Road near the Central Business District.
The vehicle struck five pedestrians who were walking towards town. One of the victims tragically died from severe head injuries shortly after being admitted to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital, while the other four sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Adding to the severity of the case, the offender fled the scene after the incident. Investigations revealed that he was driving without a valid driver’s licence, and the vehicle was deemed unroadworthy.
The court found the offender negligent on the following grounds:
- Failing to keep a proper lookout.
- Failing to keep the vehicle under proper control.
- Wantonly driving an unroadworthy vehicle.
Despite the gravity of the offence, the court sentenced the 20-year-old to 24 months in prison, with six months suspended for three years. The remaining 18 months were conditionally suspended pending 360 hours of community service.
This ruling has sparked public debate, with many questioning the leniency of the sentence in light of the tragic loss of life and the offender’s blatant disregard for road safety regulations.
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