Two people are feared dead following a devastating traffic collision that occurred just after Kaguvi Training Centre on the outskirts of Gweru, along the busy Harare-Bulawayo Highway. The tragic crash, which happened in the early hours of Wednesday morning, involved a church bus ferrying congregants and a small lorry, leaving several others injured and prompting renewed concerns over highway safety in Zimbabwe.
According to eyewitness accounts, the collision involved a Golversberg Bus that was en route to Kwekwe, carrying members of the Happiness National Apostolic Faith Mission Holy Ghost Church. The passengers were on their way to Gokwe Centre for a religious crusade when the collision struck.
The bus reportedly collided head-on with a small lorry that was travelling in the opposite direction toward Gweru. The cause of the crash appears to have been a sudden attempt by the bus driver to avoid a 30-tonne truck that had broken down on the roadside and was allegedly parked without proper hazard signage or reflective warnings.
“I was right behind the bus when it happened,” said one eyewitness, visibly shaken by the incident. “The driver suddenly swerved to avoid hitting the broken-down truck, but there wasn’t enough time. The bus veered into oncoming traffic and smashed into a small lorry. It was a terrible scene—people were crying, others were trapped inside.”
Emergency services, including the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), local fire crews, and medical responders, quickly descended on the scene to rescue survivors and retrieve the injured. The two vehicles sustained extensive damage, with the front ends of both the bus and the lorry crumpled from the impact.
Tragedy on Harare-Bulawayo Highway: Two Feared Dead in Church Bus and Lorry Collision
While police have not yet issued an official report, initial findings suggest that at least two people may have died on the spot. Several others, including some passengers from both vehicles, were injured and rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment. Their conditions remain unknown.
The names of the deceased have not been released pending identification and notification of next of kin. However, passengers at the scene described harrowing moments, with many still in shock from the collision.
A member of the church who was travelling in a separate vehicle behind the bus said, “We were all heading to the same church convention in Gokwe. When we reached the accident scene, we saw our brothers and sisters in distress. Some were lying on the road, and others were crying out for help. It’s something I’ll never forget.”
The collision has once again thrown a spotlight on the dangers of Zimbabwe’s roads, particularly the recurring issue of heavy trucks being left unattended without proper warning indicators. Transport analysts say this practice continues to put lives at risk, especially on major highways like the Harare-Bulawayo route, which sees a high volume of traffic daily.
“This tragedy could have been avoided if that broken-down truck had been properly marked,” said one Gweru-based road safety expert. “We’ve lost too many lives on our roads due to negligence. The law requires vehicles to use reflective triangles and other warning devices when stationary on a highway, but enforcement remains weak.”
In the aftermath of the collision, calls have intensified for stricter road safety enforcement, better driver training, and improved infrastructure, including clearer signage and designated breakdown zones for heavy vehicles.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has yet to respond to the latest incident, but pressure is mounting on authorities to introduce more robust safety protocols to protect motorists, especially on the country’s major highways.
Meanwhile, the Happiness National Apostolic Faith Mission has called for prayers and support for the victims and their families. “This is a heartbreaking moment for our church community,” said a church spokesperson. “We are mourning those who may have passed, and we are praying for the full recovery of the injured. We trust in God’s healing power.”
As investigations continue and officials work to verify the final death toll, families of the passengers involved wait anxiously for updates. The tragedy stands as yet another painful reminder of the urgent need to address Zimbabwe’s ongoing road safety crisis before more lives are lost.
Source- Bulawayo24
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