Harare–Mutoko Road Crash: 5 Dead as Kombi with Tombstones Overturns, Owl Found at Accident Scene
Five people, including two children, were killed on Friday when a private kombi overloaded with passengers, bricks, and even tombstones overturned along the Harare–Nyamapanda Road.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the incident, saying the vehicle was dangerously overloaded and lost control while attempting to overtake another car.
According to the statement shared on X, the kombi was carrying 16 family members, a tombstone, and bricks. It overturned at the 49km peg, killing five people on the spot, while two others died later in hospital. Nine survivors were left injured.
“he ZRP confirms the death of seven family members in a fatal road accident that occurred today at the 49 km peg on the Harare-Nyamapanda Road. Nine people were injured. The kombi was carrying 16 family members, a tombstone and bricks when the driver tried to overtake another motor vehicle and lost control of the kombi. The kombi then overturned, killing five people on the spot while two others died upon admission at local hospital,” the statement released on X reads.
Budiriro South MP Darlington Chigumbu, who happened to drive past the wreckage, described the scene as deeply disturbing. He said the sight of two lifeless children lying among the twisted metal and debris left him heartbroken.
Chigumbu urged citizens to be more cautious and responsible on the roads to avoid such tragedies. He also noted an eerie detail at the crash site, a dead owl, which quickly fuelled conspiracy theories among bystanders who believed it might have come from one of the passengers’ bags.
He said:
“Today, on my way from Murewa, I witnessed a road accident that broke my heart. A private kombi carrying people, bricks, and tombstones overturned, and five people were killed on the spot. My heart was shattered when I saw two small children lying there, lifeless. I want to urge my fellow citizens to continue being safe and responsible on the road…There was a dead owl at the accident scene, and some people had already developed some conspiracy theories, saying it had come from one of the passengers’ bag.”
Online, Zimbabweans reacted strongly to the accident, with many pointing fingers at reckless behaviour and negligence. Some were outraged at the decision to overload the vehicle with heavy cargo alongside passengers, while others lamented poor road conditions. A few also joked darkly about the owl, linking it to traditional beliefs.
Here are some of the comments and reactions:
@hatirege:
“We Africans are dumb & stupid, who loads a kombie with a tomb stone, add upon that, people & bricks. Then they step on the gas while drinking Chibuku singing to Chimbetu. This outcome was so predictable, you will hear them blaming the Owl person.”
@Cchihwaa:
“So sad, but why mix passengers with bricks,and tombstones. They had better survival chances dai anga ari ma passengers ega, Obvious vamwe vatemwa nematombo ayo nemabricks when the vehicle was rolling. That’s why there is a law that prohibits the mixing of luggage and passengers.”
@peterchari83:
“Hehede kuseka nhamho serugare ko vanhu vaku tumirarana mazizi futi 
inga pakaipa.”
@LEOGARIDZANAI:
“Yes of course people need to be responsible and vigilant on the road…But Our roads are too narrow … we need widening at a faster pace.”
@BaBrayden2:
“Zvogona zvine chivanhu mukati chaimo, iro ZIZI rikudei maskati akadaro iwayo.”
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The post Harare–Nyamapanda Road Crash: 7 Family Members Dead as Kombi with Tombstones Overturns, Owl Found at Accident Scene appeared first on iHarare News.
