A sombre mood has descended over Umguza District and the wider education community following a tragic road accident in Bulawayo that claimed the life of a respected school headmaster and left 17 other school leaders injured. The incident occurred along Leopold Takawira Avenue, just after Milton High School, transforming an otherwise quiet Saturday morning into a scene of confusion, grief and urgent rescue efforts.
The group of educators had been travelling together in a kombi belonging to the Umguza District chapter of the Better Schools Programme of Zimbabwe (BSPZ). They were returning home after attending their annual district conference held in Kariba, a major professional gathering where school heads meet to review progress, share best practices and map out priorities for the coming academic year. This year’s event had concluded with an address from the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, making the journey back a time for reflection and renewed motivation. That sense of purpose was abruptly cut short by the accident.
Although police are still to release an official report, early accounts indicate that the kombi veered off course and collided with a stump on the roadside. The impact was severe enough to cause extensive damage to the front of the vehicle and led to the fatality of one headmaster, who was seated toward the front. Emergency teams and bystanders rushed to assist the injured, many of whom were visibly shaken and disoriented.
The Matabeleland North Provincial Education Officer, Mr Jabulani Mpofu, confirmed the heartbreaking news while travelling from Victoria Falls to Bulawayo to support the affected schools and families. Speaking in a strained tone, he said:
“I am on my way to Bulawayo from Victoria Falls and just getting the terrible news.” His words captured the shock that has reverberated throughout the teaching community, which is widely regarded as a tight-knit professional family.
The deceased headmaster has been identified as a long-serving and highly respected leader from a primary school in the Nyamandlovu area. However, his name is being withheld until all close relatives have been notified. Colleagues describe him as dedicated, principled and deeply committed to improving education in rural communities. His passing, they say, represents not just the loss of an administrator, but the loss of a mentor who shaped countless young lives.
The seventeen surviving school heads are receiving medical care at various hospitals in Bulawayo. Their injuries range from minor bruises to more serious fractures and head trauma. As news of the crash spread, fellow educators, friends and family members flocked to the medical institutions to offer support, comfort and assistance. Many stood outside emergency units anxiously awaiting updates, reflecting the distress that swept through the education sector within minutes of the incident.
The accident has also cast a dark cloud over what is typically a productive period for educators who attend the Kariba conference. The annual meeting is a cornerstone event for the district’s school heads, providing them with a rare opportunity to collectively analyse academic results, discuss challenges such as teacher shortages, and devise strategies to improve learning outcomes in their schools. Instead of returning with renewed energy, they found themselves facing tragedy and uncertainty.
Authorities have acknowledged the accident and emphasised that investigations are under way. The Bulawayo Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, confirmed that formal communication would be issued once all details had been verified. She stressed the importance of providing accurate information to the public and assured families that updates would be released as soon as the police had completed a full briefing.
“We want to ensure that all the facts are properly gathered before releasing a detailed statement,” she said.
As the investigation progresses, questions are emerging about the condition of the kombi, road safety along the route, and whether fatigue may have played a role following the long journey from Kariba. Road safety advocates have urged authorities to conduct thorough assessments and implement measures that protect school personnel when they travel for official duties.
In Umguza, flags were flown at half-mast at several schools as a gesture of mourning. Teachers described the day as one of the saddest the district has experienced in years. Many expressed gratitude that most of their colleagues survived but remained deeply shaken by the tragic loss of one of their own.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is expected to release a formal statement soon, and counselling services are being organised to support the affected schools. For now, the district mourns a dedicated educator whose life was cut short and hopes for the swift recovery of the injured, as the entire teaching community rallies around them during this deeply painful time.
Source- iharare
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