Makoni Rural District Council (RDC) Chief Executive Officer Edmore Chidembo, is recovering from serious injuries following a tragic road accident that claimed one life and left two others hospitalised. The accident occurred on Thursday night along the Chivhu–Nyazura Road, a highway increasingly notorious for fatal crashes.
The incident happened around 10pm at the 179-kilometre peg on the busy highway, according to Manicaland Acting Police Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, who confirmed the details to Chipinge Times.
The crash involved three vehicles: a blue Mazda B1800, a haulage truck, and a silver Toyota Fortuner driven by Chidembo. Preliminary investigations suggest that the Mazda, which was being driven by Lloyd Piwa of Watsomba and had a passenger, Jordan Mandiringana, developed a mechanical fault and stalled on the road while travelling towards Chivhu.
As Piwa’s vehicle remained stationary on the tarmac, a haulage truck coming from behind reportedly failed to brake in time and slammed into the Mazda. The impact forced the Mazda into the right-hand lane — directly into the path of Chidembo’s oncoming Toyota Fortuner, which was heading towards Nyazura.
The resulting collision left Chidembo’s SUV swerving uncontrollably before coming to a stop in the middle of the road. The haulage truck that triggered the sequence of events did not stop and fled the scene, prompting a police search for the driver.
Well-wishers who arrived shortly after the crash helped rush the injured to Tait Private Hospital in Rusape. Tragically, Jordan Mandiringana died upon admission, while both Edmore Chidembo and Piwa sustained serious injuries. Hospital staff have since confirmed that the two survivors are in stable condition and are receiving treatment for multiple injuries.
Rusape traffic police attended the scene and have launched an investigation into the full circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information about the haulage truck involved to come forward.
Makoni RDC CEO Edmore Chidembo Seriously Injured in Fatal Crash on Chivhu–Nyazura Road
The accident has once again spotlighted the safety concerns surrounding the Chivhu–Nyazura Road, which carries a high volume of traffic, including heavy trucks and passenger vehicles. The stretch of road where the accident occurred is particularly dangerous, with sharp curves, limited lighting, and a history of mechanical failures among vehicles using the route.
Community members and road safety campaigners have called on the government to increase patrols, install warning signs, and improve road maintenance to prevent similar tragedies. “We’ve had far too many accidents along this road, and each one is a reminder of how urgent the need for reform is,” said one local transport operator who requested anonymity.
Local councillors and government officials have expressed sympathy for the families affected by the crash, with many rallying behind Edmore Chidembo, a respected public servant with decades of experience in local governance. His injuries have drawn concern across the province, where he has been instrumental in spearheading development projects in the Makoni district.
“This is a tragic loss of life and a blow to the community,” said one official. “We are relieved that Mr. Chidembo is alive and receiving care, but our thoughts are with the family of the deceased and others impacted by this accident.”
Calls are now growing louder for more stringent enforcement of vehicle maintenance standards, especially for commercial trucks. Motorists have also urged authorities to ensure that vehicles with mechanical defects are kept off public roads, as breakdowns frequently lead to chain-reaction collisions like the one seen on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) continues to appeal to drivers to be vigilant, especially when driving at night on highways prone to traffic and visibility challenges.
As Edmore Chidembo remains under medical supervision, the Makoni RDC has yet to issue an official statement regarding the accident or his temporary replacement. However, council officials have confirmed that operations will continue with minimal disruption as the CEO recovers.
Investigations into the accident are still ongoing.
