POLICE recorded three fatalities involving pedestrians in two separate road traffic accidents this weekend in Mutare and Harare.
In the first incident, which claimed two lives, a motorist following behind a truck attempted to overtake at a junction resulting in a crash.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.
“The ZRP confirms a fatal road traffic accident occurred at the 239 km peg along the Harare–Mutare road on 9 January 2026, involving two motor vehicles and two pedestrians,” said Nyathi.
“A Toyota Lexus with one passenger on board, was travelling towards Mutare behind a Shacman Truck towing a trailer, which was moving in the same direction.
“The Toyota Lexus attempted to overtake the truck as the Shacman truck also intended to turn right. In the process, the Toyota Lexus struck the right front corner lamp of the truck.
“The driver of the Toyota Lexus lost control of the vehicle and veered off the road, where it hit two pedestrians, who died on the spot.The Shacman truck stopped briefly after the incident and the driver fled the scene.”
The bodies of the deceased were conveyed to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital for post-mortem examinations.
In the second tragedy, which occurred along the Harare–Masvingo road on 10 January 2026, involved two motor vehicles and three pedestrians.
“A Mercedes-Benz fifteen-tonne truck, towing an empty trailer with a foreign number plate, was travelling along the Harare–Masvingo road in the inner lane from Skyline Tollgate towards the Harare CBD. The trailer detached and struck a Toyota Hiace commuter omnibus carrying thirteen passengers on board, which was travelling in the outer lane towards the Harare CBD.
“The detached trailer then veered off the road and hit three pedestrians. One of the pedestrians died at the scene,” said Nyathi.
The injured victims were ferried to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals for medical treatment.
