The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed a tragic road traffic accident that occurred along the Harare-Mukumbura highway on the evening of July 2, 2025. The accident claimed the life of a man identified only as Dhuterere, who reportedly jumped from a moving vehicle and died instantly after sustaining severe head injuries. The fatal incident happened at the 54-kilometre peg near Mazowe, en route to Bindura.
Mashonaland Central police spokesperson, Inspector Milton Mundembe, provided details of the harrowing incident in a statement to Bulawayo24 News, confirming that the man’s body has since been transferred to Concession District Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem, while two other individuals injured in a related crash are receiving treatment.
According to Inspector Mundembe, the accident involved three vehicles traveling along the Harare-Mukumbura road at around 9:20 PM. The first vehicle was an unregistered white Hino Ranger truck heading north towards Bindura with ten passengers on board. Two of the passengers were seated in the front cabin, while the remaining eight, including the deceased, were traveling in the open loading box.
Following closely behind was the second vehicle—a silver Toyota Hiace (registration number AFB 9045)—also traveling northbound. It had one passenger on board. The third vehicle involved was a silver Toyota Runx (registration number AFG 2738), which was heading in the opposite direction, towards Mazowe, with no passengers.
“Upon reaching the 54km peg, a male passenger known only as Dhuterere, who was riding in the back of the Hino Ranger, suddenly jumped off the moving truck and fell onto the tarred surface,” said Mundembe. “He sustained severe head trauma and died instantly at the scene.”
Man Jumps from Moving Truck, Dies Instantly in Fatal Harare-Mukumbura Road Accident
In the aftermath of the man’s fatal fall, the silver Toyota Hiace driver, who was trailing behind the truck, attempted to swerve and avoid running over the body. However, in doing so, the Hiace veered into the oncoming lane and collided head-on with the Toyota Runx traveling in the opposite direction.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, where they found the deceased and multiple injured individuals. The two injured victims were transported to Concession District Hospital, where they are being treated. As of the latest updates, their conditions are reported to be progressively stabilising.
“The ZRP Mazowe Traffic Unit attended the scene and conducted initial investigations. We are still gathering more information about the circumstances leading to the passenger’s fatal jump,” Mundembe said. He added that authorities are working to notify the next of kin before releasing the full identity of the deceased.
In his statement, Inspector Mundembe issued a public appeal for increased caution on Zimbabwe’s roads, particularly during nighttime travel. He emphasized that many fatal incidents occur during night hours due to poor visibility, driver fatigue, and diminished reaction times.
“We urge all motorists to exercise extreme caution, adhere strictly to traffic regulations, and avoid unnecessary night driving. Drivers must ensure that passengers are transported safely and not in open truck loading bays, which expose them to avoidable dangers,” he said.
He also reiterated the importance of maintaining a safe following distance, especially on high-speed roads, to allow for adequate reaction time in case of sudden hazards such as this one.
The fatal incident has sparked concern among residents and road safety advocates, many of whom have called for tighter enforcement of vehicle loading regulations. Transporting people in the loading bays of trucks remains a common but dangerous practice in many parts of Zimbabwe, particularly in rural areas where public transport is limited.
“This tragedy could have been avoided,” said a local community leader from Mazowe. “We continue to lose lives due to poor transport conditions and disregard for basic safety protocols. It’s high time authorities seriously address these issues.”
The ZRP has assured the public that a full investigation is underway, including efforts to determine what prompted Dhuterere to jump from the vehicle.
As the country grapples with rising traffic fatalities, authorities and citizens alike are being urged to prioritize safety on the roads to prevent such senseless loss of life.
Source-Bulawayo24
