A tragic road traffic accident along the Nyanga–Rwenya Road on Friday, 8 August 2025, claimed the lives of three people and left five others nursing serious injuries. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the incident, describing it as yet another painful reminder of the dangers posed by negligent driving and poor road conditions in rural areas.
According to police reports, the crash occurred at the 48-kilometre peg when an Isuzu KB single-cab vehicle, carrying a total of seven passengers, suddenly veered off the road. The vehicle reportedly overturned before coming to rest on its right side, trapping some of the occupants inside. Eyewitnesses told authorities that the accident happened so quickly that bystanders had little time to react or render assistance before the vehicle landed.
Emergency responders, including police officers and members of the local community, rushed to the scene to assist the victims. Unfortunately, three passengers were pronounced dead at the site of the accident due to the severity of their injuries. Their bodies were later transported to Nyanga District Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations.
The remaining five passengers, some with broken bones and deep cuts, were ferried to Nyanga District Hospital for urgent medical attention. Medical staff reported that two of the injured were in critical condition and would likely require specialist treatment at a larger referral hospital.
Three Killed, Five Injured in Nyanga–Rwenya Road Tragedy
While the identities of the deceased were being withheld until next of kin had been informed, police have appealed to the public for assistance in contacting relatives of the victims. Officers at Nyanga Police Station have urged families with missing members to come forward and help in the identification process.
Preliminary investigations by the ZRP suggest that the driver may have lost control of the vehicle while navigating a sharp curve. Although the exact cause of the accident is yet to be determined, early indications point to speeding as a possible contributing factor. Police say the Isuzu KB was heavily loaded, and the combination of excessive speed and poor handling may have resulted in the vehicle overturning.
The accident has sparked renewed concern over road safety along the Nyanga–Rwenya Road, which has long been criticised for its narrow lanes, sharp bends, and poor maintenance. Community leaders in the area say the road is notorious for accidents, especially during peak farming and tourism seasons when traffic volumes increase significantly.
Local residents have once again called on the government to prioritise road repairs and widening projects to reduce the risk of fatal crashes. Some villagers living along the route say they have witnessed too many accidents over the years, with many of them preventable if proper infrastructure upgrades were implemented.
Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, the provincial police spokesperson, confirmed that a full-scale investigation is underway. He urged drivers to exercise extreme caution when travelling on rural roads, particularly during the current windy and rainy weather conditions that can make driving more hazardous.
“Motorists must always keep their speed within safe limits, especially on roads with dangerous curves and steep gradients. We continue to lose innocent lives because some drivers underestimate the risks posed by these roads. This is a loss not only to the families involved but also to the nation,” Inspector Chakanza said.
In Nyanga, where tourism plays a vital role in the local economy, the tragedy has cast a sombre mood over the community. Businesses and residents have joined in mourning the victims, with church groups and community organisations offering condolences and support to the bereaved families.
This latest crash adds to the growing list of fatal road accidents recorded in Zimbabwe in recent months. Traffic safety experts have repeatedly called for more stringent enforcement of road rules, better driver training, and the introduction of regular vehicle fitness inspections to curb such tragedies.
As the injured victims continue to fight for their lives in hospital, and families prepare to bury their loved ones, the accident serves as yet another grim reminder of the urgent need to improve road safety awareness and infrastructure across the country. The Nyanga–Rwenya Road, like many others in Zimbabwe’s rural areas, remains a high-risk route — and without action, more lives may be lost to preventable crashes.
Source- ZimEye
