On Saturday afternoon, a tragic accident near Bindura claimed the lives of five young girls from the same family, aged between 10 and 14. The incident occurred around 4 PM on the Harare-Mukumbura Road, shortly after the Bindura Rural District Council compound, where the girls were walking home. The driver, Washington Timburwa, aged 51, reportedly lost control of his Nissan Primera at the 90km mark on the road, leading to this heartbreaking event. Three of the girls were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others succumbed to severe injuries shortly after being taken to Bindura Hospital. All five girls suffered critical head injuries.
In addition to the fatalities, two other individuals—a pedestrian and a passenger in Timburwa’s vehicle—sustained serious injuries and remain in critical condition. Reports indicate that Timburwa’s vehicle veered off the road, striking the girls before overturning multiple times and coming to rest on its roof, approximately five meters from the roadside. Despite the extensive damage to the vehicle, Timburwa was reported to have escaped with no visible injuries. The car has since been impounded for investigation at the Bindura Vehicle Inspection Department.
The Bindura District Development Coordinator’s office expressed profound sorrow over this devastating loss. Ms. Lidya Hlabati, the Principal Administration Officer, announced that the provincial Civil Protection Unit (CPU) has formally requested State-assisted funerals for the victims. The CPU has also been active in supporting the injured at Bindura Hospital, wishing them a swift recovery.
Timburwa now faces charges of culpable homicide, and traffic police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. Families of the victims were quickly notified of the tragedy, which has sent shockwaves through the community.
The girls have been identified as Nokutenda Mabheka (14), Rachel Sinodia Saidi (13), Chipo Chikanda (13), Misiyose Benjamin (14), and Makanaka (surname not provided). Their untimely deaths have left a profound impact on friends, family, and the broader community, sparking urgent discussions about road safety measures and the need for stricter regulations on high-risk roads.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a somber reminder of the vulnerabilities pedestrians face, particularly on busy roadways. As the community mourns the loss of these young lives, there is a collective call for improved road safety initiatives to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
In other news – Road accident claims four lives on Roy-Chiredzi Route
On Saturday afternoon, a tragic accident near Bindura claimed the lives of five young girls from the same family, aged between 10 and 14. The incident occurred around 4 PM on the Harare-Mukumbura Road, shortly after the Bindura Rural District Council compound, where the girls were walking home.
The driver, Washington Timburwa, aged 51, reportedly lost control of his Nissan Primera at the 90km mark on the road, leading to this heartbreaking event. Three of the girls were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others succumbed to severe injuries shortly after being taken to Bindura Hospital. All five girls suffered critical head injuries. Read More
