The Harare-Chirundu Highway, a crucial corridor linking Zimbabwe to its northern neighbors, has once again been marred by tragedy. On January 26th, 2024, a high-speed accident involving a Nissan NP 300 resulted in one fatality and injuries to four others. The vehicle, driven by Rawlings Chifamba (37), overturned at the 167km peg after losing control due to excessive speed. The impact of the crash, which occurred around 5 pm, left the vehicle on its roof and caused significant damage. One passenger died instantly, while four others sustained injuries of varying severity.
In response to the incident, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) issued a statement detailing Chifamba’s sentencing. He was given a six-month prison sentence, wholly suspended, on the condition that he complete 210 hours of community service. Additionally, he was banned from driving Class 4 vehicles for six months, and his license will be endorsed.
The Harare-Chirundu accident was part of a tragic series of road incidents over the same weekend. On July 25th, 2024, the Masvingo-Mbalabala Road witnessed another devastating crash. A Nissan NP200, travelling alone, veered off the road and struck four pedestrians walking along a footpath about 70 meters from the road. The collision was so forceful that two of the pedestrians died at the scene, and the other two were injured.
Further compounding the weekend’s tragedy, another accident on Bulawayo Road resulted in injuries to 12 passengers. Details about this incident remain sparse, but the high number of casualties highlights the ongoing dangers on Zimbabwe’s roads.
In a separate, equally tragic event, Clive Mphambela, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle, died in a road accident in Chivhu. The accident, reportedly caused by speeding, occurred just days before Mphambela’s 51st birthday. Mphambela was widely respected for his intellect, dedication to public service, and enthusiasm. His death has created a significant void, deeply affecting his family, colleagues, and the nation.
These recent tragedies underscore the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures in Zimbabwe. The repeated occurrences of severe accidents highlight systemic issues that must be addressed through stricter enforcement of traffic laws, improved road conditions, and increased public awareness of road safety. As the nation mourns the loss of lives and supports those injured, it becomes increasingly clear that comprehensive efforts are needed to prevent future tragedies and protect road users.
In other news – Domestic abuse claims made against Bongani Fassie
South African musician and producer Bongani Fassie, the son of the late iconic singer Brenda Fassie, is facing serious accusations of physical abuse from his former girlfriend and ex-manager, Buhle Sangweni. The allegations, which have surfaced through an interview with Zimoja, paint a troubling picture of their relationship and Fassie’s behavior.
Sangweni, who had been romantically involved with Fassie and also served as his manager, claimed that the troubles began after Fassie met model Busisiwe “B’Queen” Siqenu. According to Sangweni, the issues started around Fassie’s birthday in August of the previous year. Read More
