Madziwa – A tragic accident on the Harare-Mukumbura Road has claimed the lives of six people and left 40 others injured after a Pavilion bus overturned near Madziwa early yesterday morning. The incident, which occurred around 4:30 am, has prompted a police investigation into the cause of the crash.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the fatal accident, stating that it took place at the 131-kilometre peg along the Harare-Mukumbura Road on October 30, 2025.
According to police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, a Yutong bus carrying 55 passengers and travelling towards Bindura experienced a tyre burst, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The bus overturned once before landing on its side, resulting in the devastating loss of life and numerous injuries.
“The ZRP confirms a fatal road traffic accident which occurred at the 131-kilometre peg along Harare–Mukumbura Road on October 30, 2025 at around 0430 hours,” Commissioner Nyathi stated. “A Yutong bus with 55 passengers on board, travelling towards Bindura allegedly had a tyre burst, resulting in the driver losing control of the bus. The bus overturned once and landed on its side. As a result, six people died on the spot, while 40 others were injured.”
An eyewitness, Mr Richard Mwandira, described the chaotic scene he encountered shortly after the accident. “I arrived at the scene soon after the accident, which occurred around 5am,” Mr Mwandira recounted. “The bus was travelling from Karanda to Harare. Its tyre burst at a bridge near Madziwa and it overturned. When l got to the scene, several people were trapped in the bus.”
The victims’ bodies were transported to Bindura Provincial Hospital for post-mortem examinations, while the injured were taken to hospitals in Karanda, Madziwa, Mt Darwin, and Bindura for treatment. Police have stated that the names of the deceased will be released once their next of kin have been notified.
This devastating accident comes barely two weeks after another tragedy in South Africa, where 44 Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals lost their lives in a bus crash near Makhado. That incident occurred on October 12 when the bus was navigating a mountainous section of the N1 highway in Limpopo Province.
While investigations are still underway to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the Pavilion bus accident, the incident has once again highlighted the critical importance of road safety and vehicle maintenance.
The Harare-Mukumbura Road, like many other highways in Zimbabwe, has been a source of concern due to its condition and the high volume of traffic it carries. Calls for improved road infrastructure and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations have been renewed in the wake of this latest tragedy.
#BREAKING
Several people are feared dead after a Pavillion bus travelling from Karanda, Mt Darwin, was involved in an accident in Madziva early this morning.
📹: Citizen Journalist – Richard Mwandira pic.twitter.com/zqik1drPQs— The Herald Zimbabwe (@HeraldZimbabwe) October 30, 2025
Meanwhile, in other road-related incidents across the country:
- Bulawayo-Beitbridge Highway: Two people were killed, and a toddler was hospitalised after a truck crashed into a Honda Fit near the March Binding area on Wednesday morning. Bulawayo Fire and Rescue Services responded to the scene, extricating those trapped in the wreckage. Chief Fire Officer Mhlangano Moyo confirmed the accident, stating that one of the deceased victims was a school pupil. Preliminary reports suggest that the truck, travelling towards Bulawayo, rammed into the Honda Fit after it allegedly failed to give way.
- Harare Hit-and-Run: Police in Harare are investigating a fatal hit-and-run that occurred on October 24 along Bulawayo Road near the Kuwadzana roundabout. A pedestrian was struck and killed by an unidentified motorist who fled the scene. Police have appealed for information regarding the incident.
- Harare-Chirundu Highway: Two people died following a head-on collision involving a Zanu PF-branded vehicle driven by Sheppard Marime, also known as Spillo, and another vehicle near Karoi on Saturday night. Marime, the Zanu PF national youth league secretary for education, sustained serious injuries but is in a stable condition. Witnesses reported that Marime’s vehicle encroached onto the opposite lane, colliding with a Toyota FunCargo. Two passengers from the Toyota FunCargo died at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital, while another is in critical condition. Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Ian Kohwera confirmed the accident. Karoi residents have long complained about the dangerous condition of the road in that area.
These recent accidents serve as a stark reminder of the need for increased vigilance on Zimbabwean roads. Drivers are urged to exercise caution, adhere to traffic laws, and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy to prevent further loss of life.
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