Twelve people were killed on Tuesday morning in a devastating road accident involving a fuel tanker, a truck, and a passenger van along a highway near Kwekwe, located in Zimbabwe’s Midlands Province. The collision, confirmed by local authorities, highlights ongoing concerns about road safety in the country.
In a statement issued by police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the fuel tanker—hauling two trailers and traveling from the capital city, Harare—first sideswiped a 2-ton truck moving in the opposite direction. Immediately after, the tanker collided head-on with a van carrying 12 people, which was also heading toward Harare.
The force of the impact caused the tanker to drag the van for several meters before tipping over and landing directly on top of it. All 12 individuals inside the van were trapped beneath the wreckage and died at the scene. Emergency response teams arrived promptly, but the severity of the crash left no survivors in the van. Authorities have withheld the names of the victims pending notification of their families.
Assistant Commissioner Nyathi stated that further details would be shared as investigations continue, and urged drivers to exercise caution, especially on highways known for high traffic volumes and speeding incidents.
Fatal road accidents are a persistent issue in Zimbabwe. Police have consistently linked such tragedies to a combination of human error and mechanical failure. Speeding, overtaking in unsafe conditions, and non-compliance with road rules remain widespread. Additionally, many vehicles operating on the roads are not roadworthy, compounding the risks for drivers and passengers alike.
The latest crash underscores the need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and improved vehicle inspections to help reduce the country’s high rate of road fatalities. As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to assess whether mechanical faults, driver behavior, or poor road conditions played a role in Tuesday’s deadly incident.