Zimbabwe minibus crash kills 27 church members near Chivhu
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
A minibus carrying members of an African Christian denomination collided head-on with a haulage truck near Chivhu, Zimbabwe, killing at least 27 people. Police said the truck was overtaking another vehicle when it struck the minibus on Friday evening. The crash is the latest in a series of deadly road accidents on Zimbabwe's poorly maintained highways.
Key Facts
- At least 27 people died when a minibus carrying church members collided with a haulage truck near Chivhu, about 140 km south of Harare.
- The crash occurred at about 18:30 GMT on Friday, according to police spokesperson Paul Nyathi.
- State-run ZBC News reported that 23 people died at the scene, while others succumbed to injuries after being admitted to a local hospital.
- In April, at least 18 people were killed when a minibus burst into flames on a highway in southern Zimbabwe.
Crash Details
The collision happened near Chivhu, about 140 km (87 miles) south of Harare, police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said on Saturday. The truck was trying to overtake another vehicle when it crashed with the minibus taxi, which was carrying members of a popular African Christian denomination travelling for a conference. Footage shared on social media by ZBC showed the mangled minibus charred to a shell, with the truck on the opposite side of the road. The crash occurred in a flat, remote stretch of road, with low vegetation lining the roadside and open terrain beyond.
Road Safety Context
The incident is the latest in a string of deadly crashes on Zimbabwe's roads, which are riddled with potholes after years of underfunding and neglect. Many Zimbabweans rely on privately run minibus taxis, known locally as kombi, for everyday transport, but they are often criticised for overloading. In April, at least 18 people were killed when a minibus burst into flames on a highway in the south. Earlier that month, a woman and her five children died when their vehicle collided with a haulage truck on another highway linking Zimbabwe and South Africa.
1 source
Zimbabwe minibus crash kills 27 church members near Chivhu
