Chitungwiza Horror Crash -man identified as Baba Tiara says he is struggling with overwhelming guilt following the horrific road crash that killed 17 people on Tuesday morning along Seke Road. The crash, which has since been declared a national disaster by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, involved a Nissan Caravan commuter omnibus and a haulage truck that veered out of control.
What has made the tragedy even more heartbreaking is the revelation that a dispute over just 50 cents may have played a part in the sequence of events leading to the deadly collision.
According to eyewitness accounts and police reports, the kombi, driven by 25-year-old Tatenda Dhokwani, made an unscheduled stop near the waterworks area just before the Hunyani River Bridge to let off Baba Tiara. The stop came after a disagreement over the fare.
Baba Tiara had boarded the vehicle at the Koala Meats bus stop and offered a 20 ZiG note — equivalent to about 50 US cents — for the trip. However, the driver insisted on the standard fare of US$1. The argument escalated, and when the two failed to reach a compromise, Dhokwani ordered Baba Tiara off the vehicle.
Moments after the kombi resumed its journey, it was struck head-on by a haulage truck that had crossed into its lane. The impact was catastrophic. Seventeen people, including the kombi driver, perished at the scene, while several others sustained serious injuries.
Chitungwiza Man Haunted by Guilt After Horror Crash That Claimed 17 Lives
Speaking to H-Metro in a tearful interview, Baba Tiara recounted the tragic chain of events and the guilt he now carries. “The driver wasn’t speeding. But just after I got off, the truck came into his lane and hit the kombi. I saw everything with my own eyes. It was horrifying,” he said.
“I keep asking myself: what if I had just paid the extra money? Maybe the kombi wouldn’t have stopped. Maybe it would have passed that stretch before the truck came. Ndichirikurwadziwa zvakanyanya uye nekuzvipa mhosva (I’m still in deep pain and blaming myself).”
The crash claimed the lives of passengers ranging in age from just three years old to 63. The youngest victim was Shantel Jere, aged three, and the oldest was Mary Nyambiri, 63. The entire nation has been shaken by the loss, with sombre scenes unfolding in Chitungwiza and surrounding areas as families prepare to bury their loved ones.
Among those killed was the kombi driver, Tatenda Dhokwani, whom many in the transport community described as a model operator. Solomon Swikiro, a well-known rank marshal known as Solo, paid tribute to him. “Tatenda wasn’t one of those reckless drivers. He didn’t drink, he wasn’t aggressive, and he was always focused on the road. We’ve lost one of the best drivers on this route,” he said.
As the community grapples with the scale of the tragedy, questions are being raised about the growing risks on Zimbabwe’s roads, particularly involving public transport operators. Overcrowded roads, poorly maintained vehicles, and inconsistent law enforcement continue to put lives at risk.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said investigations into the crash are ongoing. “We are conducting comprehensive investigations to determine the full circumstances of this accident. We continue to urge all motorists to exercise maximum caution, ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, and always prioritise safety for all road users,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa has expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and promised government support for burial arrangements. Several families are already finalising funeral plans, with the community rallying together to provide emotional and logistical support.
Road safety advocates say the tragedy underscores the urgent need for reform in Zimbabwe’s public transport sector. “This incident is a painful reminder that even minor disputes or decisions can have deadly consequences,” said transport analyst Tawanda Mapurisa. “Stronger enforcement of regulations, fare standardisation, and public education could go a long way in preventing similar incidents.”
As for Baba Tiara, the trauma of witnessing the crash and the role he believes he played in it may take much longer to heal. “I didn’t cause the crash, but I feel like I played a part in how things unfolded,” he said quietly. “I will live with that for the rest of my life.”
As Zimbabwe mourns, one haunting detail lingers — a disagreement over a mere 50 cents might have set off the chain of events that led to one of the country’s deadliest road tragedies in recent years.
Source- ZimEye
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