A devastating road traffic accident on the Harare–Mutare Highway late Wednesday night has left multiple people seriously injured, amid growing public outrage over the lack of timely emergency response. The collision took place between Zimra Park and Sunway City, turning a routine journey into a nightmare as a vehicle was left mangled beyond recognition, with its occupants trapped inside.
According to several eyewitnesses who were present shortly after the crash, the vehicle—a private car heading eastbound toward Mutare—was severely crushed. The force of the impact caused extensive damage to the front and side of the car, leaving parts of the bodywork strewn across the road. Passengers inside were heard crying for help as bystanders rushed to assist, frantically working to remove them from the twisted wreckage using only their bare hands.
Shockingly, more than 30 minutes after the crash occurred, no ambulance or official emergency services had arrived at the scene. Passersby and motorists stopped to help, forming a human chain to aid the injured and provide comfort. Some were seen using cloths to slow bleeding, while others made desperate calls for medical assistance that never seemed to come.
Among the passengers was a young girl, believed to be around 10 years old, who was pulled from the wreckage alive. Witnesses described the rescue as nothing short of miraculous given the condition of the car. “The child was crying and in pain, but somehow, she survived. Everyone clapped when she was pulled out—it was like watching a miracle,” said one onlooker.
Sadly, the girl’s mother was less fortunate. She remained trapped in the front passenger seat, apparently too injured to be removed without professional medical assistance. Witnesses said she was conscious but visibly in agony, struggling to sit up as good Samaritans spoke softly to her in an effort to calm her until help arrived. “We didn’t know what else to do,” one woman said. “She was moaning and bleeding… we just kept talking to her, telling her to hold on.”
In a disturbing twist, one of the individuals pulled from the wreckage is believed to be a police officer. Witnesses noted the presence of a uniform jersey bearing three stars on the shoulder—an insignia typically denoting the rank of Inspector. However, his identity has not been confirmed by authorities.
Despite the gravity of the situation, emergency response was nonexistent in the critical first hour after the crash. This has triggered widespread criticism on social media, with citizens questioning the preparedness of Zimbabwe’s emergency services. “This is horrifying,” said one witness. “We are watching people bleed on the roadside with no ambulance, no fire truck, not even a single police car. What kind of system is this?”
Crash on Harare–Mutare Highway Leaves Victims Trapped as Help Fails to Arrive
The road where the crash occurred—an important artery linking Harare to the eastern border town of Mutare—is notorious for Crashs, particularly at night when visibility is reduced and traffic includes a mix of speeding haulage trucks and private vehicles. Calls have long been made for better policing, lighting, and signage along this stretch, but little has been done to address these concerns.
Meanwhile, some of the crash were eventually transported to nearby hospitals by private motorists who offered their vehicles in place of ambulances. “If we had waited for an ambulance, some of these people would not have made it,” said one driver who ferried two injured men to a medical center in Ruwa.
As the victims continue to receive medical treatment, questions remain about the state of emergency preparedness in Zimbabwe and what more needs to be done to prevent such tragedies from being compounded by delayed medical response. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life on Zimbabwe’s roads—and the urgent need for systemic reform to protect it.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the crash, the number of people injured, or whether fatalities occurred. For now, families are being urged to check with their relatives if they suspect someone may have been traveling along the route Wednesday evening.
The nation waits for answers—but for those who witnessed the carnage firsthand, the memory of this preventable tragedy will not soon fade.
