CHITUNGWIZA – A passenger tragically lost their life on Saturday afternoon after two enormous trees were uprooted during a severe storm and fell directly onto a moving vehicle in Chitungwiza. The incident occurred at Makoni Shopping Centre and involved a Honda Fit operating as a “mushikashika,” the local term for informal or pirate taxis that ferry commuters across town. The vehicle was carrying three people at the time, including the driver and two passengers.
According to eyewitness reports, the storm swept through the area with intense winds and heavy rainfall, uprooting several large trees along the main road. The Honda Fit, which was plying its usual route from Makoni to Dema, became the victim of the calamity as two massive trees fell simultaneously onto the small vehicle. The impact crushed the car instantly, leading to the immediate death of one male passenger. The driver and the second passenger survived, with the driver sustaining only minor injuries despite the horrific circumstances.
Onlookers described a scene of chaos and panic as the storm raged. Screams echoed through the streets as residents rushed to the site of the accident, attempting to assist while navigating the hazards of the fallen trees and heavy rain. Eyewitnesses described the trees as “enormous” and “unstable,” noting that the sheer force of the winds had made them collapse without warning.
Tragic Storm Claims Life of Passenger in Chitungwiza Mushikashika Accident
A video obtained by The Herald and shared widely on social media captured the aftermath of the accident. The footage showed the mangled Honda Fit pinned under the massive tree trunks, with shocked residents gathering around the scene. The visual quickly went viral, prompting widespread discussion about both the freak nature of the incident and the state of local emergency response services.
In the hours following the tragedy, residents and Zimbabweans online voiced frustration over what many described as inadequate emergency preparedness. Numerous social media posts highlighted the apparent lack of specialized equipment needed to safely and quickly remove the crushed vehicle and attend to the victims. Many pointed to a perceived inconsistency in municipal priorities, citing past council decisions that seemed to limit resources that could have been used in emergencies.
One Twitter user, Marwei, noted: “Only last week council yaka hire zvinotakura ma container vachiti pamakamaisa hapasi pamutemo (Only last week council hired vehicles that carry containers saying where you are placing them is illegal). Today we lack the same cranes to remove the car crushed by a tree. Haaa zvimwe zvacho so.” The comment resonated widely, highlighting frustrations over bureaucratic decisions that, in the eyes of residents, may hinder effective emergency response.
Another social media user, General Hustler, echoed the sentiment, succinctly stating, “Zero emergency services,” underscoring perceived systemic weaknesses in Chitungwiza’s disaster preparedness. Public conversations following the incident have increasingly focused on whether local authorities have sufficient equipment, trained personnel, and contingency plans to deal with sudden natural disasters, particularly during the stormy season.
Authorities have confirmed that the identities of the passengers involved in the accident have not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin. The tragic event has sparked national discourse regarding the state of urban safety, particularly the vulnerability of informal transport operators and their passengers to natural hazards.
The incident also raises broader concerns about urban planning, tree maintenance, and infrastructure safety in Chitungwiza. Observers have noted that many of the large trees along main roads are aging and, without regular inspection or trimming, could pose risks to pedestrians, drivers, and property during severe weather. Experts have called for municipal authorities to implement systematic assessments of urban trees and invest in preventative measures to reduce such risks.
In response to the tragedy, local government officials have promised a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities are expected to examine not only the immediate cause of the tree collapse but also the adequacy of emergency response protocols and equipment availability. Community leaders have urged the council to take proactive measures, emphasizing that improved preparedness could prevent similar accidents in the future.
Saturday’s incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers posed by extreme weather events and the critical importance of local government preparedness. As Zimbabweans continue to debate the adequacy of Chitungwiza’s emergency response, many hope that lessons will be learned, and that investments in disaster readiness and infrastructure safety will be prioritized to prevent further loss of life.
For the driver and surviving passenger, the event is likely to leave lasting physical and emotional scars, while the deceased passenger’s family and community mourn a life cut short in a tragic, unforeseen accident.
Source- iHarare
