Two people died in the early hours of Saturday morning following a road traffic accident involving two heavy trucks along the Mutare–Harare Highway. The crash occurred at Mufusire Uphill, a stretch of road in Manicaland Province known for its steep gradients and frequent heavy vehicle traffic.
According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the accident happened at approximately 00:30 AM at the 120-kilometre peg of the busy highway. Police confirmed the tragedy in a statement posted on their official X (formerly Twitter) account, urging motorists to exercise greater caution, especially during night-time travel.
Preliminary reports indicate that both trucks were travelling in the same direction towards Harare when the collision occurred. A Tata rigid truck, carrying one passenger, reportedly ploughed into the rear of a haulage truck that had no passengers on board. The force of the impact left both vehicles badly damaged and claimed the lives of the two people in the Tata truck.
“Two people were killed when a Tata rigid truck with one passenger on board rammed onto the back of a haulage truck with no passengers on board. The trucks were travelling in the same direction towards Harare,” read part of the police statement.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released, as authorities are working to notify their next of kin. The bodies were taken to Rusape General Hospital for post-mortem examinations. Police said they would provide further details once the families had been informed.
Eyewitnesses who arrived shortly after the crash described a grim scene. The smaller rigid truck bore the brunt of the damage, with its front cabin severely crushed under the force of the collision. Cargo and debris were scattered across the uphill lane, forcing motorists to slow down or stop as emergency crews arrived.
Local residents reported that visibility at that time of night is often poor due to minimal street lighting in the area, and the road’s incline requires extra caution from drivers of heavy vehicles. Police officers, fire brigade teams, and ambulance services responded quickly, but both occupants of the Tata truck were pronounced dead at the scene.
Two Killed in Midnight Truck Collision on Mutare–Harare Highway
While investigations are ongoing, authorities have suggested that several factors common in late-night road crashes could have contributed to the tragedy. These include driver fatigue, reduced visibility, misjudged following distances, and speed on an uphill gradient.
Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the ZRP national spokesperson, said the incident highlights the dangers of tailgating, especially for drivers of large, fully loaded vehicles. “We urge all motorists, and particularly operators of heavy trucks, to maintain safe distances between vehicles, to slow down when approaching hilly sections, and to ensure they are fully alert when driving at night,” he said.
The accident has reignited debate about safety on Zimbabwe’s highways, particularly on the Mutare–Harare route, which handles a high volume of commercial traffic linking the eastern border with the capital. In recent years, the road has witnessed numerous serious accidents involving haulage trucks, buses, and smaller vehicles.
Transport experts point to a combination of factors—such as ageing vehicle fleets, inadequate road lighting, driver fatigue from long shifts, and poor enforcement of speed limits—as contributing to the frequency of fatal collisions. The Mufusire stretch, in particular, is viewed as a high-risk zone because of its steep gradient and blind curves.
Road safety campaigners have called for stricter monitoring of truck operations, including mandatory rest periods and limits on overnight driving for long-haul operators. Some have urged the installation of reflective road markings, improved lighting at dangerous bends and inclines, and regular roadside inspections to check vehicle roadworthiness.
The Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) has acknowledged the safety concerns and says ongoing road maintenance projects are aimed at improving surface conditions and signage. However, upgrading lighting infrastructure on long stretches of rural highway remains a costly challenge.
News of the accident spread quickly on social media, with many users sending condolences to the victims’ families and sharing concerns about the dangers of night travel on the country’s major roads. Some long-distance drivers have expressed fears that economic pressures often push operators to run overnight schedules despite the higher risks.
Locals in Mufusire say they frequently hear of serious crashes on the uphill section and believe more needs to be done to enforce slow-speed zones for heavy trucks. “We see trucks struggling on this incline all the time, especially at night. If drivers keep too close to each other, it only takes a moment’s distraction for a tragedy like this to happen,” said one resident.
Police say a full investigation is underway to determine the precise cause of the collision. This will include examining the condition of both vehicles, interviewing the driver of the haulage truck, and assessing whether mechanical failure, weather conditions, or human error were involved.
In the meantime, the ZRP has reiterated its appeal for safe driving practices, particularly in high-risk zones. “No load or schedule is worth a life,” Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said. “We continue to urge all road users to make safety their top priority.”
Funeral arrangements for the victims will be announced once their families have been officially notified.
Source- Bulawayo24
