President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared the recent Chitungwiza road accident that claimed 17 lives a national disaster, as the country grapples with the scale of the tragedy that occurred early Monday morning.
The announcement was delivered by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, during an emotional visit to grieving families at a funeral parlour in Chitungwiza on Tuesday. Minister Garwe confirmed that all the victims of the deadly crash will be granted state-assisted funerals, in recognition of the gravity of the incident and the need for collective national mourning.
“This is a heartbreaking loss, not only for the affected families but for the entire nation,” Garwe told the mourners. “President Mnangagwa has declared this horrific accident a national disaster. Government will ensure that all those who lost their lives receive dignified burials, and we are providing support to the bereaved families during this difficult time.
Mnangagwa Declares Chitungwiza Road Crash a National Disaster as 17 Perish in Tragic Collision
The tragic accident occurred in the early hours of Monday along Chitungwiza Road, when a commuter omnibus reportedly collided head-on with a haulage truck under circumstances that are still being investigated. Preliminary reports from police and eyewitnesses suggest that the kombi was attempting to overtake another vehicle in poor visibility when it rammed into the oncoming truck.
The impact was so severe that most of the passengers aboard the minibus died on the spot. Among the dead were several breadwinners, parents, and students, plunging multiple households into mourning and leaving a deep sense of shock in Chitungwiza and beyond.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the death toll and said investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the accident. He urged public transport operators and drivers to exercise extreme caution on the roads and to prioritise safety over speed or profit.
“This accident is a grim reminder of the dangers of recklessness on our roads,” Nyathi said. “We urge all road users, particularly public service vehicle drivers, to respect traffic rules and ensure that passengers reach their destinations safely.
The declaration of a national disaster allows the Government to mobilise resources quickly and coordinate emergency services, psychosocial support, and burial logistics under the Civil Protection Act. It also underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the incident, amid growing public concern over worsening road carnage in Zimbabwe.
Chitungwiza residents and relatives of the victims gathered in large numbers at the funeral parlour, many still in shock and disbelief. Tearful scenes unfolded as names of the deceased were read out, with some families having lost multiple members in the crash.
One grieving relative, Memory Mudzamiri, who lost her brother and niece, said, “We never expected to bury them so soon. They had just left for work in the morning, and within hours we got the devastating news. Our hearts are shattered.”
Minister Garwe assured the families that the Government would cover funeral expenses, including transportation of the bodies to their final resting places, coffin provision, and other burial arrangements.
Health officials and trauma counsellors have also been dispatched to assist bereaved families as they come to terms with their loss. The Ministry of Health and Child Care has appealed to affected communities to seek psychological support and avoid bottling up trauma, especially among children who may have lost parents in the crash.
Meanwhile, calls for improved road safety measures have intensified. Road safety advocates are urging the Government to increase police patrols, install more traffic surveillance systems, and enforce stiffer penalties for negligent driving.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona, who also visited the crash site, said his ministry is working on a road safety reform programme aimed at reducing traffic fatalities. He hinted at upcoming changes in public transport regulation, including stricter licensing requirements for drivers of passenger vehicles.
“This accident must be a turning point,” Mhona said. “We cannot continue to lose lives in such preventable ways. We will strengthen enforcement and implement reforms to ensure safety on our roads.”
As the nation mourns, condolences have poured in from across the country, including from civic organisations, churches, and political leaders from across the spectrum. Social media has also been flooded with messages of sympathy, as Zimbabweans unite in grief and support for the affected families.
President Mnangagwa, in a message conveyed through his spokesperson, extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved, describing the accident as “a dark moment in our national life.”
“We stand with the families in their pain,” the President’s statement read. “May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace.”
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