SEKE ROAD, HARARE – A horrific road traffic accident at Hunyani Bridge along Seke Road has claimed the lives of 17 people after a 30-tonne haulage truck collided with a commuter omnibus, flattening it in a devastating crash that left rescuers and onlookers stunned.
Emergency services, including the fire brigade and ambulance crews, rushed to the scene on Monday night after reports of a major collision involving a commuter kombi and a heavy-duty truck. When they arrived, the sight was grim—twisted metal, shards of glass, bloodstained tarmac, and the crushed remains of the kombi trapped beneath the truck’s undercarriage.
SEKE ROAD TRAGEDY: 17 Killed as Haulage Truck Crushes Kombi in Horror Crash
Initial reports suggest the crash may have been triggered by a Honda Fit that allegedly veered unexpectedly into the path of the haulage truck. In a bid to avoid a direct collision, the truck driver swerved into the oncoming lane, where the commuter omnibus was approaching. The result was catastrophic.
Eyewitnesses described hearing a deafening bang followed by screams, as the massive truck ploughed into the kombi, dragging it several metres and crushing it completely. The mangled remains of the kombi were barely visible beneath the towering vehicle, with bodies trapped inside.
“The kombi was flattened like paper,” said one witness who arrived moments after the crash. “People were screaming, others trying to pull victims out, but it was impossible. The truck just rolled over it like it wasn’t even there.”
Rescue operations went into full swing immediately. Emergency responders began the painstaking task of cutting through metal to access victims, while paramedics treated survivors on-site. Twelve people were initially recovered from the wreckage. Three were rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition, while the remaining nine showed no signs of life and were pronounced dead at the scene.
As the night wore on and more of the wreckage was cleared, the death toll continued to climb. By Tuesday morning, police confirmed that the number of fatalities had reached 17, with several bodies recovered from beneath the crumpled kombi.
Heart-wrenching scenes unfolded as family members of the victims arrived. Many broke down upon identifying the lifeless bodies of their loved ones. Some wept silently, others wailed in anguish, clutching blood-stained clothing and debris salvaged from the crash site. One elderly woman fainted upon recognizing her son among the dead.
“The pain is unbearable,” said a relative of one of the deceased. “We were just waiting for him to return home from work. Now he’s gone, just like that.”
Authorities have cordoned off the scene as investigations continue. Traffic along Seke Road was temporarily halted as emergency services conducted retrieval operations and cleared debris. Police say preliminary investigations point to both driver error and mechanical failure as possible causes of the crash.
“Witnesses at the scene reported that the truck’s prop shaft may have failed just as the driver tried to avoid the Honda Fit,” said a police spokesperson. “This could have led to the loss of control and the deadly impact with the kombi.”
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has called for calm while promising a thorough probe into the incident. A full accident report is expected in the coming days, which will include mechanical inspections and statements from the truck driver and other survivors.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has also expressed deep condolences to the affected families, promising to assist with burial arrangements and counselling services. In a brief statement, the Ministry called the incident “a national tragedy” and reiterated the urgent need for tighter enforcement of road safety laws, especially concerning heavy-duty vehicles and public transport operators.
The crash has once again brought the issue of road safety to the forefront in Zimbabwe, where overloaded kombis, speeding, and poor vehicle maintenance remain pressing concerns. Civil society groups and transport unions have renewed calls for comprehensive reform and routine safety checks to avoid further loss of life.
Meanwhile, a mass memorial service is being planned in Chitungwiza, where most of the victims are believed to have resided. The community is still reeling from the shock, and a sombre mood hangs heavy over the suburb as families prepare to bury their loved ones.
As Zimbabwe mourns this latest tragedy, many are left asking the same painful question: How many more must die before meaningful change is made on the country’s roads?
Source- Herald
