A head-on collision between a minibus taxi and a haulage truck resulted in the deaths of 17 people in Zimbabwe on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, according to police reports. The crash took place near Chitungwiza, a densely populated town about 15 miles southeast of the capital, Harare.
Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi reported that all 17 victims died at the scene. The truck crossed into the oncoming lane after the driver lost control, first hitting two pedestrians on what Nyathi referred to as the “island of the road” before colliding with the minibus taxi.
Fifteen of the 17 minibus passengers died on the spot, with others suffering injuries and being taken to a hospital for treatment. According to the state-run Herald newspaper, the minibus was completely crushed, with only fragments of its frame visible beneath the truck’s undercarriage.
The scene of the accident was described as chaotic, with twisted metal, broken glass, and debris strewn across the road. Rescuers worked for several hours to free passengers trapped in the wreckage. Although the crash occurred in the morning, recovery operations continued into the afternoon, with bodies still being recovered around noon.
Chitungwiza Mayor Rosaria Mangoma urged the government to declare the incident a national disaster. Mangoma described the crash as “one of the most disturbing and traumatic scenes” the town had seen.
This accident is part of a broader pattern of fatal road accidents involving public transportation in Zimbabwe. Authorities note that speeding is common among drivers trying to maximize daily trips, while poorly maintained roads add further hazards to travel conditions.
In February, a similar tragedy occurred when 24 people were killed in a head-on collision between a bus and a truck near Beitbridge, on the border with South Africa. These events underscore the ongoing challenges with Zimbabwe’s transportation infrastructure and safety measures.
The national statistics agency indicates Zimbabwe records a road accident every 15 minutes, leading to at least five deaths each day. This represents one of the highest road fatality rates on the African continent. The country’s population of about 15 million faces these transportation risks daily.
The investigation into Tuesday’s crash is ongoing, as authorities work to ascertain the circumstances leading to the truck driver’s loss of control. Police have not released further details on the driver’s condition or other potential contributing factors beyond the initial loss of control.
Emergency response teams from various agencies were involved in the rescue and recovery efforts. The complex nature of the accident, with vehicles severely damaged and passengers trapped, required extensive coordination among first responders throughout the morning and afternoon.
