Tragedy struck along the Mutare–Masvingo highway on Thursday when a Toyota Fortuner GD6 carrying seven passengers overturned, killing four people on the spot and leaving three others nursing injuries. The accident, which occurred at the 46-kilometre peg, has once again highlighted the alarming frequency of fatal road crashes on Zimbabwe’s highways.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the incident through their official social media platforms, saying preliminary investigations point to a loss of control by the driver. According to the police statement, the vehicle veered off the road, collided with a concrete road signpost, and overturned several times before coming to rest on its roof.
“The ZRP confirms a fatal road traffic accident which occurred on August 29, 2025, along the Mutare–Masvingo Road,” police said. “Four people died on the spot, while three others sustained injuries when a Toyota Fortuner GD6 overturned at the 46km peg. The bodies of the deceased were taken to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital mortuary, and the injured are admitted at the same institution.”
Emergency responders, assisted by nearby motorists, rushed to the scene soon after the crash. The victims who died instantly were ferried to the Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital mortuary in Mutare. The three survivors, all of whom sustained varying degrees of injuries, were admitted to the same hospital for treatment. At the time of going to press, the names of the deceased had not yet been released, pending notification of their next of kin.
Hospital sources confirmed that the injured were receiving treatment and remained in stable condition, though one of the survivors had sustained serious fractures.
The Mutare–Masvingo Road has developed a notorious reputation as one of Zimbabwe’s most dangerous highways. Long stretches of the road are characterized by sharp curves, narrow lanes, and sections riddled with potholes. Coupled with driver fatigue, speeding, and poor vehicle maintenance, the road has become a frequent site of deadly accidents.
Four Killed, Three Injured in Mutare–Masvingo Road Horror Crash
Statistics from the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe show that road traffic accidents remain among the leading causes of death in the country, with human error accounting for more than 90 percent of crashes. In Manicaland Province alone, several major accidents have been recorded in recent years, particularly involving public service vehicles and cross-border traffic.
Local residents who frequent the Mutare–Masvingo highway described Thursday’s accident as “yet another painful reminder” of the dangers motorists face daily. One villager, who arrived at the scene moments after the crash, said the sight was horrifying.
“The car was upside down, completely wrecked. It was clear that those who died had no chance of survival. We tried to assist the injured while waiting for an ambulance,” the eyewitness said.
Police have since urged motorists to exercise extreme caution on the country’s roads. In a statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi reminded drivers that speeding and reckless driving remain the leading causes of accidents.
“We continue to urge all motorists to adhere to road rules and regulations, avoid speeding, and ensure vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on long journeys. Lives are being lost needlessly due to human error, and this must stop,” said Nyathi.
The commissioner also appealed to passengers to play an active role by speaking up against reckless driving, warning that silence can cost lives.
The government has launched several campaigns in recent years to improve road safety, including the installation of more road signs, the rehabilitation of trunk roads, and increased deployment of traffic officers along accident-prone routes. However, critics argue that enforcement remains inconsistent and that poor infrastructure continues to endanger lives.
Civil society groups have called for urgent investment in safer highways, pointing out that Zimbabwe’s road network has deteriorated significantly over the past two decades. Frequent accidents, they argue, not only rob families of loved ones but also weaken the country’s economic productivity by claiming lives of workers and breadwinners.
For the families of Thursday’s victims, the crash has left a deep wound. Relatives gathered at Victoria Chitepo Hospital in a state of shock, some struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss. “We spoke to them yesterday, and today they are gone. It’s difficult to accept,” said one distraught family member.
As police complete their investigations and await post-mortem results, the deceased are expected to be laid to rest in their respective hometowns in the coming days.
The Mutare–Masvingo accident has once again underlined the urgent need for both drivers and authorities to redouble efforts in making Zimbabwe’s roads safer. With fatalities from traffic accidents continuing to rise, road safety experts stress that enforcement of traffic laws, investment in infrastructure, and public awareness campaigns must go hand in hand.
For now, the nation mourns four more lives cut short on a road that has seen too many tragedies. The three survivors face a long road to recovery, while their families and the broader public are left asking the same haunting question: how many more lives must be lost before decisive action is taken?
Source- Heraldonline
