In a shocking revelation, it has come to light that a minor dispute over just 50 cents may have played a critical, tragic role in delaying the kombi, causing it to be at the exact place and time of the fatal impact.

This seemingly insignificant fare disagreement saved one man's life but, in a cruel twist of fate, could have inadvertently contributed to the deaths of the 16 others who perished inside the commuter omnibus when it collided with a haulage truck along Seke Road on Tuesday morning.

The Fateful Stop: A Dispute Over 50 Cents

According to an account by the passenger involved, identified as Baba Tiara, the fateful incident began when the kombi driver, Rudson Tatenda Sliya, stopped just before the Hunyani River bridge at the waterworks bus stop to drop him off. The reason for the stop: a dispute over how much Baba Tiara was to pay for his trip.

Seke Road Tragedy: A 50-Cent Fare Dispute's Heartbreaking Role in the National Disaster

Baba Tiara had boarded the Nissan Caravan kombi at Koala Meats bus station along Seke Road and offered a 20 ZiG note, expecting to pay 50 cents (or its equivalent in ZiG). However, the kombi driver insisted on a US$1 fare. A heated argument ensued, culminating in the driver ordering Baba Tiara to disembark from the kombi. The passenger complied.

It was moments after being dropped off that Baba Tiara witnessed the horrific collision. He firmly believes that if the kombi had not stopped to allow him to get off, it would have already passed the precise danger zone where it met the out-of-control haulage truck.

The Devastating Collision: A Haulage Truck's Deadly Swerve

As previously confirmed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the tragic crash involved a 30-tonne haulage truck that was traveling towards the Harare Central Business District. The truck driver reportedly lost control, veered into the oncoming lane, first striking two pedestrians who died instantly, before colliding head-on with the Nissan Caravan kombi carrying 17 passengers towards Chitungwiza.

The ZRP confirmed the scale of the tragedy, stating: "The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms that 17 people died... The truck hit two pedestrians who were walking on the island of the road. The pedestrians died on the spot. The truck went on to collide, head-on, with a Nissan Caravan kombi travelling in the opposite direction towards Chitungwiza with 17 passengers on board."

The impact was so severe that the truck dragged the kombi off the road, overturned, and landed directly on top of it, completely crushing the smaller vehicle. This resulted in the immediate death of 15 people inside the kombi, including the driver.

A Community Mourns: Victims Identified, Driver Remembered

The police have since released the names of the 17 victims, revealing heartbreaking losses. Among them are a young father, 29-year-old Rainford Jere, and his 3-year-old daughter Shantel Jere, as well as Letwin Hwingwiri (52) and Talent Hwingwiri (18) from Murehwa. The youngest victim was three-year-old Shantel Jere, and the oldest was 63-year-old Mary Nyambiri.

The kombi driver, Rudson Tatenda Sliya  (25), has been widely remembered by colleagues as an exemplary driver, known for his responsibility and adherence to safety, defying the reckless stereotype often associated with some kombi operators. Sadly, Sliya was among those who perished instantly in the crash.

Harare Central Police Station rank marshal, Solomon Swikiro, popularly known as Solo, confirmed Sliya's character: "I am the one who loaded his Caravan vehicle at the Charge Office rank in town. He was one of the drivers who was not associated with violence or even this habit of taking alcohol. He was of a sober mind and was never counted among the speeding drivers. We will miss him and we will also miss our clients who perished along with him, may their souls rest in eternal peace."

Survivor's Guilt and Lingering Questions

Baba Tiara's account of the 50-cent dispute highlights the cruel twists of fate. Speaking to H-Metro, he expressed his profound anguish: "Ndichirikurwadziwa zvakanyanya uye nekuzvipa mhosva. If I had enough money, maybe the kombi driver could have saved all these souls." (I am still hurting very much and blaming myself. If I had enough money, maybe the kombi driver could have saved all these souls.)

His words underscore the immense survivor's guilt he carries, believing that a seemingly trivial amount of money became the catalyst for such a profound tragedy. As police continue their comprehensive investigations into the accident, urging motorists to be safety-conscious and ensure vehicle maintenance, the story of the 50-cent dispute remains a poignant and heartbreaking detail in this national disaster.