Following a tragic road accident that resulted in the loss of 27 lives, primarily among congregants of the African Apostolic Church, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced a State of Disaster.
The incident took place along the Harare-Masvingo Highway, close to Honeyspruit Bridge in Chikomba District, situated approximately 130 kilometers south of Harare.
A Nissan Caravan NV350 minibus, which was transporting church members, collided head-on with a Volvo truck, leading to a subsequent fire. At least seven other individuals sustained critical injuries.
The Zimbabwean government confirmed that Mnangagwa has enacted the Civil Protection Act, officially designating the crash as a State of Disaster.
This declaration enables officials to gather additional resources to support survivors and assist the families of the deceased.
Additionally, the government is committed to covering medical costs for the injured and providing support with funeral and burial arrangements.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe stated that the authorities are organizing emergency assistance in light of the mass-casualty incident.
According to police, the minibus was carrying members of the African Apostolic Church en route from Dema to Mvuma for a religious event when the crash occurred.
Initial reports from the Zimbabwe Republic Police suggest that the truck was trying to overtake another vehicle when it collided with the minibus.
Investigations by the police into the specifics of the accident are ongoing.
The collision ignited a serious fire that left the minibus extensively burned.
Many passengers were reportedly trapped inside as emergency services and local community members rushed to assist.
Fire services worked to put out the flames, and heavy machinery was later enlisted for recovery efforts.
Authorities are collaborating to officially identify the victims before disclosing their identities to the public.
The current death toll has been confirmed at 27, with seven others injured.
Officials have stated that the names of the deceased will be released once identification is complete and relatives have been notified.
The incident has brought grief to the African Apostolic Church and the various communities connected to the victims.
The truck involved was reportedly carrying equipment from South Africa.
Government sources indicate that the haulage vehicle was transporting mining equipment from South Africa towards Goromonzi at the time of the crash.
The driver escaped the incident and was later taken to Harare for medical care.
No criminal charges have yet been filed against the driver, as responsibility will be determined based on the ongoing police investigation.
The accident caused significant disruptions on the Harare-Masvingo Highway.
The truck and its load blocked the roadway, prompting the use of heavy machinery for cleanup.
The highway has now been reopened.
As a crucial transport corridor, this route connects Zimbabwe with South Africa, facilitating important regional travel.
This incident has heightened concerns regarding roadway safety on Zimbabwe’s main highways, especially regarding collisions involving large trucks, buses, and minibuses.
Authorities have consistently cited speeding, hazardous overtaking, and driver error as significant factors in severe road accidents.
This latest tragedy is particularly heartbreaking as many victims belonged to the same religious community traveling together for a church event.
The Zimbabwean government has extended condolences to the families affected and the African Apostolic Church community.
The focus will now shift to the police inquiry, particularly concerning the truck’s overtaking maneuver and any other contributing factors to the accident.
With 27 fatalities confirmed, the Chivhu crash stands as one of the most severe road incidents in Zimbabwe’s recent history.
