HARARE – Tragedy struck in central Harare on Saturday after a motorist allegedly ignored a red traffic light, resulting in a horrific road traffic accident that claimed one life and left 17 people injured.
The crash occurred at the bustling intersection of Josiah Tongogara Avenue and Leopold Takawira Street, one of the city’s busiest junctions, often congested with commuter traffic and private vehicles. The collision involved a Toyota Regius commuter omnibus packed with passengers and a Nissan Vanette, which police say was being driven recklessly.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the details in a statement, attributing the accident to blatant disregard for traffic rules.
“The ZRP confirms a fatal road traffic accident which occurred at the intersection of Josiah Tongogara Avenue and Leopold Takawira Street in Harare on November 1, 2025,” said Commissioner Nyathi.
He explained that the Toyota Regius was travelling along Leopold Takawira Road toward the Central Business District with 15 passengers onboard, while the Nissan Vanette was driving along Josiah Tongogara Road heading toward Dzivarasekwa. Preliminary findings revealed that the Nissan Vanette driver disobeyed a red traffic signal and entered the intersection, colliding violently with the commuter omnibus.
“The impact was severe,” Nyathi said. “As a result, one passenger from the commuter omnibus died on the spot, while 17 others sustained varying degrees of injury.”
Harare Tragedy: One Killed, 17 Injured After Driver Runs Red Light in City Centre Crash
Emergency services quickly arrived at the scene as onlookers gathered in shock. The body of the deceased was transported to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals for post-mortem examinations, while the injured passengers were also taken to the same hospital for urgent medical attention.
Witnesses described the crash as “horrific,” saying the force of the impact caused the commuter omnibus to spin before crashing onto the curb. One witness, who operates a vending stall near the intersection, said the sound of the collision “was like an explosion.”
“I saw people screaming inside the kombi,” the witness recounted. “The front of the Nissan Vanette was completely crushed, and passengers in the omnibus were crying for help. It was terrible.”
Commissioner Nyathi once again urged motorists to observe road regulations, warning that reckless driving continues to claim innocent lives.
“We appeal to drivers to exercise extreme caution on the roads, especially at intersections controlled by traffic lights,” he said. “Ignoring signals and speeding through red lights is a recipe for disaster. The law will take its course against those who endanger lives through negligence.”
The incident adds to a growing number of fatal accidents reported across urban centres in recent months. Police data indicates that road rule violations—particularly failure to obey traffic lights and reckless overtaking—remain a leading cause of accidents in Harare and other major cities.
Harare residents have voiced frustration over the increasing number of accidents at robot-controlled intersections. Many blame both drivers and inadequate traffic enforcement. Some intersections, residents argue, are poorly monitored, giving reckless drivers confidence to violate signals without fear of being caught.
A local commuter driver, who identified himself as Tawanda, said such accidents have become too common. “People are in too much of a hurry these days,” he said. “They don’t stop even when the light is red. Kombi drivers and private motorists both do it. It’s not just about bad luck—it’s about lack of discipline.”
Traffic safety advocates have also called for more visible policing in high-risk areas. They argue that the presence of traffic officers, especially during peak hours, could deter reckless behaviour. Others have urged the installation of more traffic cameras to automatically record violations and issue fines.
This latest crash mirrors a worrying pattern in Harare and across Zimbabwe. Similar incidents have occurred at major intersections, including Julius Nyerere Way, Sam Nujoma Street, and Simon Muzenda Avenue, often resulting in fatalities.
Statistics from the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) show that thousands of people are injured or killed annually due to road accidents, many of them caused by speeding, drunk driving, or ignoring road signs.
According to the TSCZ, urban commuter vehicles are particularly prone to accidents because of the intense competition among drivers to pick up passengers. Many operate under pressure to meet daily targets, leading to reckless behaviour on the roads.
In response to Saturday’s tragedy, road safety campaigners and residents have renewed calls for stricter enforcement and public awareness campaigns. Some have suggested that driving licences be revoked for repeat offenders who disregard traffic signals.
“Accidents like this are preventable,” said a Harare-based transport analyst. “All it takes is responsibility behind the wheel and effective law enforcement. We cannot continue to lose lives over behaviour that is entirely avoidable.”
As investigations continue, the police have yet to release the identity of the deceased passenger. The injured victims remain hospitalised at Parirenyatwa, where doctors report that several are in stable condition.
For many Harare residents, the crash serves as another grim reminder of the price of recklessness. Amid grief and frustration, one message rings clear from both authorities and the public: respect the rules of the road, or risk destroying lives in an instant.
