PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday declared the Seke Road accident that killed 17 people on Tuesday a national disaster.
He said the accident victims would get State-assisted funerals.
Local Government and Public Works minister Daniel Garwe said this while addressing mourners at a funeral parlour in the dormitory town yesterday.
The announcement came as police last night released the names of the 17 people who died in the accident.
National police spokesperson identified the 17 as Tatenda Silia (25), a male adult of Rockview West, Zengeza 5 Extension, Chitungwiza (kombi driver); Wishby Nganima (19), a male adult of Nyatsime, Chitungwiza; Letwin Hwingwiri (52), a female adult of St John’s Bhora, Murehwa; Frederick Jumo (39), a male adult of Stoneridge, Harare; Shantel Jere (3), a female infant of St Mary’s, Chitungwiza; Rainford Jere (29), a male adult of St Mary’s, Chitungwiza; Prodigas Mugere (37), a male adult of St Mary’s, Chitungwiza and Tatenda Dhokwani (25), a male adult of Damafalls, Ruwa.
The others are Samantha Taderera (27), a female adult of Zimre Park, Harare; Sheilla Nemasango (58), a female adult of Nyatsime, Chitungwiza; Samantha Nyangani (32), a female adult of Unit P, Seke, Chitungwiza; Emma Matare (32), a female adult of Stoneridge, Harare; Joshua Gutsa (7), a male juvenille of Stoneridge, Harare; Perpetua Kurwa (35), a female adult of Stoneridge, Harare; Anyway Maguduru (26), a male adult of Manyame Park, Chitungwiza; Talent Hwingwiri (18), a male adult of St John’s Bhora, Mrehwa, and Mary Nyambiri (63), a female adult of St Mary’s, Chitungwiza.
Nyathis said the police were conducting “comprehensive investigations to determine the causes of the accident”.
Meanwhile, a sombre atmosphere has enveloped the high-density suburb of St Mary’s in Chitungwiza following a horrific road accident that claimed 17 lives, most of them residents of the tight-knit community.
- NoViolet Bulawayo’s new novel is an instant Zimbabwean classic
- Benzema confident Real will reach UCL final
- Jah Prayzah, Zanu PF rekindles ‘lost love’
- Bank workers appeal to Ncube for tax relief
Keep Reading
The tragedy, which unfolded like a bad dream, occurred at Manyame Bridge along the Harare-Chitungwiza Road on Tuesday morning when a haulage truck reportedly swerved to avoid a Honda Fit, veered onto the opposite lane and collided with a commuter omnibus, leaving a trail of mangled metal, shattered dreams and grieving hearts.
On the dusty streets of St Mary’s, the oldest suburb in Chitungwiza, grief hung in the air like lingering winter mist.
Wails of sorrow echoed from several households, with neighbours clutching at each other for support as they tried to come to terms with the devastating loss.
Among the victims was a man who had dashed into town that fateful morning to buy provisions for his newborn child.
He never made it back.
His wife sat motionless at St Mary’s Clinic, her eyes swollen as a result of crying, clutching a small baby blanket.
“He was so excited to become a father,” she said through tears.
“He said our child deserved the best. Now he will grow up without knowing the man who gave him life.”
Not far, along Chengaose Road, the Jera family were being consoled by relatives and neighbours.
Prodigas Mugere, a popular figure, known for grooming young footballers in the area, also died.
His wife, Melissa Mugere, said she was at a loss of words.
The accident has not only claimed lives, but has torn the very fabric of a community that thrives on unity, kinship and shared hardship.
In the aftermath of the devastating accident, social media platforms became a digital shrine of grief and solidarity for the community of Chitungwiza.
From Facebook to WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter) to Instagram, timelines were flooded with condolence messages, black ribbons and candle emojis as friends, relatives, and strangers alike expressed shock and sorrow.
Hashtags such as #StMarysTragedy, #ChitungwizaMourns and #GoneTooSoon trended locally as users shared heartfelt tributes, photos of the deceased and memories of the victims — many of whom were well-known within the community.
On Facebook, dozens of St Mary’s-based community pages changed their profile pictures to black as a sign of collective mourning.
“Rest in peace my people from St Mary’s, condolences to all the families who lost their beloved ones,” posted Baba Jayden Manake Faranisi on Facebook.
“Today, we cry not for one family, but for an entire community.
“We have lost brothers, sisters, parents and children. May their souls rest in eternal peace.”
Several WhatsApp groups, often used for updates on neighbourhood events and family news, turned into support networks, with people offering prayers, transport assistance for funeral arrangements and donations to the grieving families.
Some shared voice notes of prayers, while others circulated condolence messages from local pastors and traditional leaders.
Digital posters with the names and photos of the victims were widely shared as the community struggled to find meaning in the senseless loss.
St Mary MP Brighton Mazhindu expressed deep sorrow and heartfelt condolences.
He said the community was devastated by the loss and mourned with the affected families during this painful time.
“This incident marks the third serious road accident on Seke Road in the past seven days, a worrying trend that cannot be ignored,” he said.
“I am urging the government, particularly the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development to urgently implement strong road safety measures such as speed reduction systems, visible road signs and physical barriers where necessary.”
Mazhindu called on all motorists to exercise discipline, care and responsibility.
“Motorists must understand that they are carrying lives — people who are loved, needed and irreplaceable,” he said.
“I strongly condemn reckless driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and any form of behaviour that endangers others on the road.”
He said his office remained committed to fighting for the safety and wellbeing of the people of St Mary’s.
Local churches and community halls have turned into spaces of mourning, with pastors offering prayers and counsellors trying to help families cope.
As preparations for burials get underway, the spirit of solidarity remains strong in St Mary’s.
Different social groups are mobilising support for the bereaved families, while churches are coordinating counselling sessions.
But amid these acts of compassion, raw pain remains.
“They left home thinking they will return. They boarded that kombi like we all do everyday,” said Sekuru Mapuranga, a respected community elder.
