A tragic road traffic accident in central Harare has left one person dead and 17 others injured after a motorist allegedly drove through a red traffic light at one of the city’s busiest intersections. The devastating collision occurred on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the junction of Josiah Tongogara Avenue and Leopold Takawira Street, sending shockwaves through the community and reigniting concerns over reckless driving in urban areas.
According to preliminary investigations by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the fatal crash was caused by a Nissan Vanette driver who ignored a red light and rammed into a commuter omnibus that was lawfully crossing the intersection. The impact of the collision was so violent that it instantly transformed an ordinary commute into a scene of chaos, fear, and tragedy.
ZRP national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident in a public statement on Sunday, describing it as another heartbreaking example of negligence on the road.
“The ZRP confirms a fatal road traffic accident which occurred at the intersection of Josiah Tongogara Avenue and Leopold Takawira Street in Harare on November 1, 2025. Preliminary investigations indicate that the Nissan Vanette went through a red robot, resulting in a collision with the commuter omnibus at the robot-controlled intersection,” he said.
Eyewitnesses at the scene reported hearing a loud crash followed by screams as the vehicles spun out of control before coming to a halt in the middle of the intersection. Within moments, passersby and nearby motorists rushed to assist the victims, pulling some of the injured from the wreckage as emergency services were called.
“The sound was deafening,” said one witness, a vendor operating near the corner. “People were thrown from their seats. We tried to help, but it was a horrible sight. Some passengers were bleeding heavily.”
One Dead, 17 Injured in Harare After Motorist Ignores Red Light: Police Urge Caution Amid Rising Urban Accidents
Commissioner Nyathi confirmed that one passenger died on the spot, while 17 others sustained injuries of varying severity. The deceased’s identity had not yet been made public by Sunday evening, pending notification of next of kin.
Emergency responders transported all the injured, along with the body of the deceased, to Parirenyatwa Hospital. Medical officials there reported treating victims for fractures, head trauma, and internal injuries. “The patients are stable, though some remain in critical condition,” said a senior nurse, describing the emergency response as swift but emotionally taxing.
The tragic accident has left families devastated and the wider Harare community deeply shaken. Many commuters who rely on public transport expressed grief and fear, noting that road safety standards in the capital appear to be deteriorating despite repeated police warnings.
Police say this latest incident underscores a worrying trend of motorists disregarding traffic signals and speed limits, particularly in the capital’s central business district. Commissioner Nyathi urged drivers to exercise maximum caution, stressing that most fatal crashes are avoidable.
“We continue to lose lives unnecessarily due to reckless and negligent driving,” he said. “Motorists must observe traffic rules, especially at robot-controlled intersections. Ignoring a red light is not just a minor offence — it can destroy lives in seconds.”
Road safety experts have long warned that Harare’s intersections have become accident hotspots, often due to a combination of impatience, distracted driving, and malfunctioning traffic lights. The intersection of Josiah Tongogara Avenue and Leopold Takawira Street — a major artery linking the CBD to western suburbs like Dzivarasekwa — is particularly busy during morning and evening rush hours.
In recent months, the ZRP has reported a spike in road traffic accidents across Zimbabwe, many of them caused by drivers failing to obey road signals. The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) estimates that the country loses more than 2,000 lives annually to road crashes — a figure that experts say could be halved if basic traffic rules were observed.
Harare motorists often cite poor road discipline, speeding kombi drivers, and limited traffic enforcement as major contributors to the carnage. However, police maintain that most drivers simply lack patience and respect for the law. “We cannot police every robot or intersection,” a Harare Central officer said. “At some point, citizens themselves must act responsibly.”
In response to the rising number of road accidents, civic groups and residents’ associations have renewed calls for stricter penalties for offenders. Some have suggested the installation of automated traffic cameras at key intersections to identify and fine violators. Others advocate for mandatory road safety refresher courses for public transport drivers.
“We need both technology and accountability,” said transport analyst Tawanda Mupunga. “Ignoring a red robot should carry serious consequences, not just a warning. People are dying because of avoidable mistakes.”
As Harare residents come to terms with Saturday’s tragedy, the intersection where it happened has become a somber reminder of life’s fragility. Flowers and candles were placed near the crash site by concerned citizens on Sunday afternoon, with some calling for a memorial to honor victims of reckless driving.
The name of the deceased passenger will be released after family notification, but the pain of the loss is already being felt across communities.
The accident, though just one among many, has reignited an urgent call for discipline and vigilance on Zimbabwe’s roads. As Commissioner Nyathi put it, “No journey is worth a life. One reckless decision can destroy many families. We must all drive responsibly — for our own sake and for others.”
In a city already burdened by congestion and chaos, this tragedy serves as another stark reminder that safety must always come before speed, and patience before pride.
Source- iHarare
