The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has released the names of seventeen people who died in a series of tragic road traffic accidents that occurred across the country in a single day during Christmas week, underscoring once again the deadly risks associated with festive-season travel.
In a statement issued on 20 December 2025, the ZRP confirmed that the fatalities were recorded on Tuesday, 17 December 2025, following three separate accidents on major national highways. The police said the names were released after all the victims were positively identified by their next of kin. Authorities also conveyed their condolences to families and communities affected by the sudden and devastating losses.
The victims came from different parts of the country and represented a wide age range, from infants to elderly citizens, illustrating the far-reaching human impact of road carnage. According to the police, the incidents occurred on the Harare–Nyamapanda Road, the Harare–Mutare Road, and the Harare–Chirundu Road, all of which experience heavy traffic volumes during peak travel periods.
The most devastating of the three crashes occurred on the Harare–Nyamapanda Road at the 185-kilometre peg, where ten people lost their lives in a single incident. Among the deceased were two young children, a fact that has deeply shaken the nation.
ZRP Releases Names Of 17 People Who Died In One Day In Christmas Week Road Accidents
The victims from this accident were identified as Gachirai Tahwina (36) of Chinzanga, Mutoko, who was the driver of a Honda Fit; Anesu Nyani (25) of Glen View 3, Harare; Kudakwashe Mudiwakure (33) of Kaitano Village, Mudzi; Rumbidzai Musimbiro (48) of Maruza Village, Mudzi; Tadivanashe Nyandoro (32) of Maruza Village, Mudzi; Miriam Portia Kunaka (30) of Tsiko Village, Mudzi; and Moilia Kunaka (26), also of Tsiko Village, Mudzi. The crash also claimed the lives of Shannel Muchato (2), Lucas Morais Jone (28), and Nenyasha Mapato, an infant aged one year and six months, both from Tsiko Village in Mudzi.
The second fatal accident occurred along the Harare–Mutare Road at the 32.5-kilometre peg, where three people were killed. Police identified the victims as Dorothy Chizuva (45) of Mupanga Village, Glendale; Victoria Manjokoto (16) of Stoneridge, Harare; and Carlos Ganyaupfu (35) of Eastview, Harare.
Another four lives were lost in a separate crash on the Harare–Chirundu Road at the 37-kilometre peg. The deceased were named as Mutsikwa Mudzimba (44) of Meadow Crescent, Hatfield; Nicholas Esaya (20) of Damba Village, Whangura; Kisha Chitundu, a nine-month-old infant from Kilimadagi Village, Mapinga; and Joel Gogo (70) of Budiriro 3, Harare.
The deaths of three infants and young children—Shannel Muchato, Nenyasha Mapato, and Kisha Chitundu—have drawn particular attention and public sorrow, with many Zimbabweans expressing grief and concern over the safety of families traveling during the festive season.
While the police statement focused on confirming identities and locations, it did not provide detailed explanations of the causes of the crashes. However, the ZRP used the opportunity to issue a renewed and urgent appeal to motorists as traffic volumes continue to rise ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“We appeal to drivers to consider road safety while traveling on the country’s roads. Above all, motorists should observe all road rules and regulations to safeguard human lives,” the statement read.
The release of the victims’ names has added a human face to statistics that often dominate festive-season road safety reports. It has also served as a stark reminder of the consequences of reckless driving, speeding, fatigue, and failure to observe traffic regulations.
As Zimbabwe enters the peak holiday travel period, the ZRP has reiterated its call for vigilance, patience, and responsibility on the roads. Authorities have urged drivers to prioritize safety over speed, ensure vehicles are roadworthy, and take regular rest breaks on long journeys, stressing that no celebration is worth the loss of a life.
