Harare, (New Ziana) – Nine people died in two separate road traffic accidents that occurred in Mashonaland Central Province earlier this week, prompting renewed calls from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) for motorists to exercise greater caution on the roads.

In a statement, police said the first accident happened on 12 May 2025 at the 101-kilometre peg along the Mvurwi-Kanyemba Road in Mahuwe, where five people lost their lives.

The victims were identified by their next of kin as Gilbert Katyamakwara, a 50-year-old man from Chitauro Village under Chief Bepura in Guruve, eight-year-old Nelisa Majasi also from Chitauro Village, and Nevy Samunawu, a female adult from the same village.

Others who perished in the crash include 48-year-old Chiseche Mafuta of Magaya Village, and 49-year-old Murambiwa Joyce of Marumahoko Village, both from the same area.

Just a day later, on 13 May 2025, another fatal accident occurred at the 52-kilometre peg along the Harare-Mukumbura Road in Mazowe, raising the death toll by six more lives.

Of the six victims, five have been identified. They are Future Chikudza, aged 51, from Zimre Park in Harare; Tatenda Samatha Ngundu, a 29-year-old woman from Munyarari Village in Zimunya, Mutare; 70-year-old Heather Mashiri from South View in Harare; five-month-old Flosky Ngundu, also from Munyarari Village; and Anotida Denzel Mawadze, a 19-year-old man from Westley in Harare.

The sixth victim, a female adult, remains unidentified as authorities continue efforts to locate her next of kin.

Police emphasised that speeding remains a major cause of fatal accidents and warned that such tragedies could be avoided through greater responsibility and compliance with traffic laws.

“Investigations into the causes of both crashes are ongoing. We appeal for vigilance on the roads, especially during periods of increased traffic, to prevent further loss of life,” read the statement.

New Ziana