The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has released the names of the seven people who perished in a devastating accident along the Masvingo–Beitbridge Highway, one of the country’s most dangerous and heavily trafficked roads. The fatal crash, which occurred on Friday, 12 September, has plunged families and communities into deep mourning, once again highlighting the grim toll of road carnage in Zimbabwe.
According to police, the collision involved three vehicles and took place at the 179-kilometre peg on the busy highway. Early reports suggest that speeding and possible misjudgment during an overtaking manoeuvre could have contributed to the catastrophe, although a full investigation is still underway.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that seven people lost their lives on the spot, while several others sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. In the aftermath of the crash, the authorities embarked on the difficult process of identifying the deceased, a task made possible through the assistance of family members.
By Sunday, six of the victims had been formally identified. They were named as Leopold Mudiwakure (43), Fortune Eddington Chitsaka (21), and Sithembiso Bhegedhe, all of Waterfalls in Harare; Danson Chidewu, the driver of a Toyota Dyna truck from Unit J, Seke in Chitungwiza; Martin Mazhata (41) of Vembe Village, Chief Chaminuka in Gweru; and Takudzwa Masanganise (35) of Zowa Farm, Zvimba. The seventh victim’s identity was later confirmed but was initially withheld pending notification of next of kin.
For relatives, the tragedy has been unbearable. Families travelled from across the country to Masvingo to identify the bodies of their loved ones, with many describing the loss as “unimaginable.” A relative of Chitsaka, a 21-year-old student, said he had a promising future ahead of him, one now cruelly cut short. “He had just begun building his life, and now he is gone. We are heartbroken,” said the grieving family member.
The accident has reignited concern about the state of Zimbabwe’s highways, particularly the Masvingo–Beitbridge Road, which is notorious for fatal crashes. Stretching over 500 kilometres, the road is a key trade route linking Zimbabwe to South Africa but has long been a hotspot for accidents due to its heavy traffic, poor road discipline, and in some sections, deteriorating infrastructure.
Police Names Seven Victims in Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway Horror Crash
Road safety experts have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, improved driver education, and the acceleration of long-delayed rehabilitation projects along the Beitbridge corridor. Despite ongoing upgrades to sections of the road, progress has been slow, and motorists continue to face serious risks.
Local residents expressed anger and frustration after the latest tragedy. “Every month, we hear of lives lost on this road. How many more people must die before something is done?” asked one commuter bus operator at Ngundu Growth Point, not far from where the accident occurred.
The ZRP has urged drivers to exercise extreme caution when travelling, especially along busy intercity highways. Assistant Commissioner Nyathi warned motorists against reckless driving, speeding, and overloading, which remain the leading causes of road accidents in the country. “We continue to lose innocent lives due to avoidable behaviour on the roads. Drivers must prioritise safety at all times,” he said.
In the aftermath of the accident, churches, civic groups, and community leaders have rallied around the bereaved families, offering condolences and pledging support. Messages of sympathy have also poured in on social media, with many Zimbabweans calling for urgent reforms to improve road safety.
The seven lives lost on September 12 add to the growing list of fatalities on the nation’s highways this year. According to official statistics, road accidents claim more than 2,000 lives annually in Zimbabwe, a figure experts believe could be reduced through stricter policing and better road infrastructure.
For now, the families of Mudiwakure, Chitsaka, Bhegedhe, Chidewu, Mazhata, Masanganise, and the seventh victim face the painful task of laying their loved ones to rest. Funeral arrangements are being coordinated in Harare, Chitungwiza, Gweru, and Zvimba, with relatives calling on the public to remember the deceased not as mere statistics but as fathers, sons, and community members whose lives mattered.
As the country mourns, the tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need to address Zimbabwe’s road safety crisis. Until then, the Masvingo–Beitbridge Highway will remain both a vital economic artery and a road of tears.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has released the names of the seven people who perished in a devastating accident along the Masvingo–Beitbridge Highway, one of the country’s most dangerous and heavily trafficked roads. The fatal crash, which occurred on Friday, 12 September, has plunged families and communities into deep mourning, once again highlighting the grim toll of road carnage in Zimbabwe.
According to police, the collision involved three vehicles and took place at the 179-kilometre peg on the busy highway. Early reports suggest that speeding and possible misjudgment during an overtaking manoeuvre could have contributed to the catastrophe, although a full investigation is still underway.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that seven people lost their lives on the spot, while several others sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. In the aftermath of the crash, the authorities embarked on the difficult process of identifying the deceased, a task made possible through the assistance of family members.
By Sunday, six of the victims had been formally identified. They were named as Leopold Mudiwakure (43), Fortune Eddington Chitsaka (21), and Sithembiso Bhegedhe, all of Waterfalls in Harare; Danson Chidewu, the driver of a Toyota Dyna truck from Unit J, Seke in Chitungwiza; Martin Mazhata (41) of Vembe Village, Chief Chaminuka in Gweru; and Takudzwa Masanganise (35) of Zowa Farm, Zvimba. The seventh victim’s identity was later confirmed but was initially withheld pending notification of next of kin.
For relatives, the tragedy has been unbearable. Families travelled from across the country to Masvingo to identify the bodies of their loved ones, with many describing the loss as “unimaginable.” A relative of Chitsaka, a 21-year-old student, said he had a promising future ahead of him, one now cruelly cut short. “He had just begun building his life, and now he is gone. We are heartbroken,” said the grieving family member.
The accident has reignited concern about the state of Zimbabwe’s highways, particularly the Masvingo–Beitbridge Road, which is notorious for fatal crashes. Stretching over 500 kilometres, the road is a key trade route linking Zimbabwe to South Africa but has long been a hotspot for accidents due to its heavy traffic, poor road discipline, and in some sections, deteriorating infrastructure.
Road safety experts have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, improved driver education, and the acceleration of long-delayed rehabilitation projects along the Beitbridge corridor. Despite ongoing upgrades to sections of the road, progress has been slow, and motorists continue to face serious risks.
Local residents expressed anger and frustration after the latest tragedy. “Every month, we hear of lives lost on this road. How many more people must die before something is done?” asked one commuter bus operator at Ngundu Growth Point, not far from where the accident occurred.
The ZRP has urged drivers to exercise extreme caution when travelling, especially along busy intercity highways. Assistant Commissioner Nyathi warned motorists against reckless driving, speeding, and overloading, which remain the leading causes of road accidents in the country. “We continue to lose innocent lives due to avoidable behaviour on the roads. Drivers must prioritise safety at all times,” he said.
In the aftermath of the accident, churches, civic groups, and community leaders have rallied around the bereaved families, offering condolences and pledging support. Messages of sympathy have also poured in on social media, with many Zimbabweans calling for urgent reforms to improve road safety.
The seven lives lost on September 12 add to the growing list of fatalities on the nation’s highways this year. According to official statistics, road accidents claim more than 2,000 lives annually in Zimbabwe, a figure experts believe could be reduced through stricter policing and better road infrastructure.
For now, the families of Mudiwakure, Chitsaka, Bhegedhe, Chidewu, Mazhata, Masanganise, and the seventh victim face the painful task of laying their loved ones to rest. Funeral arrangements are being coordinated in Harare, Chitungwiza, Gweru, and Zvimba, with relatives calling on the public to remember the deceased not as mere statistics but as fathers, sons, and community members whose lives mattered.
As the country mourns, the tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need to address Zimbabwe’s road safety crisis. Until then, the Masvingo–Beitbridge Highway will remain both a vital economic artery and a road of tears.
Source- iHarare
