The devastating crash occurred on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, involving a haulage truck and a commuter omnibus (kombi).

The accident site, where a kombi was found completely crushed beneath a 30-tonne haulage truck, has been a focal point of national mourning and shock since initial reports emerged.

Official Police Account: What Caused the Seke Road Accident

In a statement released on the same day as the incident, the ZRP confirmed the fatality count and provided a detailed account of how the tragedy unfolded. According to police, the haulage truck, which had two occupants on board, was traveling towards the Harare Central Business District when its driver lost control of the vehicle. The truck then veered abruptly onto the oncoming lane.

Before the head-on collision with the kombi, the out-of-control truck first struck two pedestrians who were walking on the island separating the lanes. Both pedestrians tragically died on the spot.

ZRP Confirms Haulage Truck Lost Control, Struck Pedestrians Before Crushing Kombi in Fatal Collision

The ZRP statement reads: "Reference is made to a post on the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s official X handle regarding a fatal road accident involving a haulage truck and a kombi which occurred this morning at Hunyani Bridge along Seke Road, Chitungwiza. The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms that 17 people died after a haulage truck travelling towards the Harare Central Business District with two occupants on board lost control and veered onto the oncoming lane. 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.”

Devastating Impact: 15 Kombi Occupants, Including Driver, Died Instantly

The impact of the collision was catastrophic. The truck dragged the Nissan Caravan kombi off the road before overturning and landing directly on top of it, completely trapping and crushing the smaller vehicle. This horrific force resulted in the immediate death of 15 people who were inside the kombi, including the driver.

Only four individuals survived the devastating crash: three passengers from the kombi and one occupant from the haulage truck. These survivors sustained injuries and were immediately transported to Chitungwiza Hospital for urgent medical treatment.

In total, the police confirmed that the victims comprise 10 females and 7 males. Their bodies have been transported to Chitungwiza Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations, while the injured continue to receive care at the same institution.

The ZRP concluded its statement by indicating that further details would be released in due course as investigations into the full circumstances of this profound tragedy continue.