HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared the Manyame Bridge crash, which claimed the lives of 17 people, a national disaster and has ordered a sweeping crackdown on reckless driving. The president’s directive calls for a unified response from law enforcement and the courts, aimed at curbing the carnage on Zimbabwe’s roads.
“The crash… painfully reminds us as a Nation of the multiple hazards which continue to stalk our roads, many of which can easily be prevented through responsible driving and effective enforcement of traffic rules,” Mnangagwa said in a strongly worded statement. “We cannot continue to lose lives in this most horrendous way due to sheer recklessness and persistent gaps in law enforcement,” he added.
According to reports, the truck heading towards Harare veered into the opposite lane on July 22 and collided with the kombi after the driver lost control on the road linking Harare and Seke. Before the impact, the truck struck two pedestrians walking on a strip in the middle of the road.
Mnangagwa has directed all relevant government institutions, including traffic police and the judiciary, to align their operations to enforce stronger measures without fear or favour. He warned that the cost of reckless driving must “outweigh whatever bizarre benefits those responsible think they derive.”
Under the disaster declaration, the government will cover funeral expenses for the deceased and hospital bills for the injured. The president’s remarks come as the country prepares to observe Heroes and Defence Forces holidays, prompting him to urge all motorists to exercise extreme caution.
“Together, and through a shared sense of responsibility, we will tame what has now become a bloody traffic jungle on our roads and thoroughfares,” Mnangagwa said.
On Monday night, he told Melissa that he intended to use part of his salary at the end of the month to help her start an income-generating project. He emphasised the importance of her having a reliable source of income, as there were “no guarantees” in his job.
Just hours later, Tatenda was dead. An out-of-control haulage truck encroached into the kombi’s lane, slamming into the commuter omnibus and dragging its passengers to their death. Melissa is currently expecting their first child. The couple had married in December last year.
Tatenda, described as a deeply religious man, was laid to rest at Zororo Cemetery, on the outskirts of Chitungwiza, yesterday. Two of his passengers, who also perished in the same accident, were also buried at the same cemetery yesterday. The burial site is located close to the scene of the accident, which occurred at the Hunyani River Bridge.
A member of the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe, Tatenda played keyboard in the church choir. Friends and fellow kombi drivers remember him as a committed individual who, unlike many kombi drivers, was not a reckless speed merchant. Colleagues attributed his exemplary behaviour to his upbringing as a dedicated AFM member.
Tatenda’s burial service was filled with songs of praise and worship from teams from AFM in Zimbabwe assemblies across the country. Melissa expressed that the tragedy had robbed her of a loving husband and shattered all their shared plans, including acquiring a residential stand. “I have lost a good husband,’’ said Melissa. “On Monday night, Tatenda told me that he was planning to help me in running an income-generating project. Hanzi pandirikutambira mari yangu ndinoda utange project yekuti uitewo mari tibatsirane sezvo remakombi haritembeke. I didn’t know that his promises were to end in this way. Ndarwadziwa. He had plans of looking for our own residential stand so that we do not continue staying at the family house. He respected my parents and he also respected his parents and he proved to me that he was a good and visionary husband.”
Tatenda’s mother, Pedzisai Sliya, described him as a true servant of God. “Tatenda has been robbed from us in a painful way but I believe his good works will follow him,’’ said Pedzisai. “He was a true servant of God considering the number of church assemblies he had been serving. He used to play a keyboard at church and some assemblies have been hiring him for services. I used to take him when he was young and at a tender age he would assist teams handling the PA system. He would remain behind after church service to be with those people who were packing the instruments. We were not shocked by his love for music and playing the keyboard.”
She added: “Tatenda was my only son, he was born in a family of four children. He got married in December last year. It is my wish to take his wife for further education and assist her in acquiring a passport to fulfil Tatenda’s wishes of empowering his wife. I want to thank His Excellency President Mnangagwa, Zimbabweans at large, AFM in Zimbabwe, our in-laws and the ward councillor for support they gave us.”
As Zimbabwe mourns the lives lost in the Manyame Bridge crash, President Mnangagwa’s call for a crackdown on reckless driving underscores the urgent need for safer roads and responsible driving habits.
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