The Chitungwiza Magistrates’ Court has delivered a stern judgement against a truck driver whose gross negligence led to the deaths of 17 people in a horrific road accident last year. Desire Madiviko, a 56-year-old driver of a South African-registered Nissan UD heavy truck, was sentenced to an effective five years in prison and banned from operating heavy goods vehicles for life, marking a significant moment in the country’s ongoing battle against road lawlessness.
The court convicted Madiviko of culpable homicide following a full trial, finding him guilty of gross negligence in the devastating crash that occurred on 22 July 2025. The total sentence handed down was seven years, with two years suspended on the condition of good behaviour for five years, resulting in the five-year custodial sentence. Furthermore, the court imposed a lifetime ban on driving Class 2 vehicles and a two-year ban on all other vehicle classes, with all his existing licences cancelled.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of Zimbabwe was quick to underline the gravity of the ruling. The NPA stated that the sentence serves as a strong reminder of the severe consequences of negligent driving, especially for operators of heavy commercial and public service vehicles, who have a heightened duty of care to other road users. They stressed that all drivers have a responsibility to protect life, obey the law, and ensure safety on the roads.
The Day the Road Became a Death Trap
The sheer force of the impact was catastrophic. The commuter omnibus was instantly reduced to a crumpled shell, its roof and frame flattened under the immense weight of the haulage vehicle. In total, 17 people lost their lives in the collision—10 women and seven men—including two children and the two pedestrians who were hit before the final impact. Five other people were injured.
The scene was one of unimaginable horror, with a heavy, metallic scent of fresh blood, diesel, and shattered glass lingering in the air. The recovery effort was gruelling, requiring three cranes to lift the trailer off the wreckage to retrieve the bodies trapped underneath.
Conflicting Accounts and the Finding of Gross Negligence
During the investigation and trial, witness accounts painted a picture of sudden chaos, though they differed slightly on the immediate trigger. One eyewitness, Mr Tamuka Kajinga, recounted a common problem on Zimbabwe’s roads—the interference of illegal taxi operators.
“The accident was triggered by a Honda Fit vehicle doing mushikashika errands that suddenly veered into the haulage truck’s lane, leaving the truck driver with no choice but to swerve,” he recounted. “In trying to avoid a direct hit, the driver ended up crashing into oncoming traffic, it was horrifying to watch.”
However, another witness, Tinashe Marumbwa, suggested a mechanical fault may have contributed to the loss of control, possibly exacerbated by the attempt to avoid the smaller vehicle.
“From what I saw, the 30-tonne truck seemed to develop a fault, it looked like something snapped underneath just before impact,” Marumbwa said. “Probably caused by the Honda Fit; which made the truck unstable. You could hear a loud metallic sound, possibly the prop shaft breaking, as it veered off course.”
Despite the possibility of external factors, the court’s finding of gross negligence against Madiviko confirms that his excessive speed and failure to maintain control of the heavy vehicle were the primary legal cause of the mass fatality. The severity of the sentence reflects the court’s view that the driver failed in his fundamental duty of care.
A Nation’s Road Safety Crisis
The Seke Road tragedy is not an isolated incident but a stark illustration of a deepening road safety crisis across Zimbabwe. The sheer number of lives lost in this single event highlights the lethal combination of reckless driving, poor road conditions, and the proliferation of unregulated public transport.
Statistics from the recent festive season underscore the alarming trend. Between 15 and 26 December 2025, the country recorded a staggering 2,412 road traffic accidents, more than double the 1,211 recorded during the same period in 2024. This surge resulted in 100 lives lost and 471 people injured, up from 77 deaths the previous year. On average, a road accident occurs every 15 minutes in Zimbabwe, with five people dying daily.
The economic cost of this carnage is also devastating, bleeding the national coffers of over US$400 million annually. Experts and police point to human factors—speeding, reckless overtaking, and driving under the influence—as the main culprits, often compounded by poorly maintained roads and vehicle defects.
The Insurance Council of Zimbabwe (ICZ) stepped in immediately following the Seke Road disaster, extending its profound and heartfelt condolences to the families and the nation.
“We extend their profound and heartfelt condolences to the families and the nation of Zimbabwe on the devastating loss of seventeen lives in a tragic road traffic accident that occurred on the 22nd of July 2025 at the Manyame Bridge in Chitungwiza,” read the ICZ statement.
The ICZ confirmed that the haulage truck had COMESA Yellow Card insurance and the kombi was compliant with the Road Traffic Act Motor Cover and Public Passenger Liability. They activated the insurance cover and contracted a funeral parlour to provide comprehensive funeral and burial services for all the deceased within the borders of Zimbabwe, advising beneficiaries to contact them for processing of the insurance compensation benefits.
The effective five-year jail term and lifetime driving ban for Desire Madiviko serve as a definitive warning. It is a judicial statement that the cost of gross negligence on the nation’s roads will be measured not only in human lives but also in the severe loss of personal liberty for those found responsible. The hope remains that this judgement will contribute to a much-needed shift in driver behaviour and a renewed focus on road safety enforcement.
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