Tinotenda Hove – The Zimbabwe Republic Police is probing two separate road crashes that left 16 people dead in Chinhoyi and Buhera this week.

The worst incident happened at Ruti Dam in Buhera on 17 July 2026 at about 0430hrs. Police say the driver of a Nissan Caravan kombi “negligently parked at the Ruti Dam wall to load luggage after wedging a stone in place of the handbrake to keep the vehicle stationary.”

Officers said the kombi then rolled forward and plunged into the dam. There were 12 congregants on board who were traveling from Gutu to Buhera for a church gathering. Nine of them died in the accident.

ZRP said investigations into the Buhera drowning are still underway.

In another fatal crash, seven people were killed on 16 July 2026 at the 109km peg along the Harare-Chirundu Road near Chinhoyi Heroes Acre. The accident involved a Nissan AD Van and a Nissan NV350 commuter omnibus.

“The Commissioner-General of Police extends his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishes the 10 injured passengers a speedy recovery,” read part of the police statement.

Police also used the statement to caution drivers against interfering with law enforcement.
“Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that it is legal or lawful for a police officer to impound vehicles found to be involved in traffic violations and related criminal acts to a secure place which in this case is a Police Station,” police said.

“Therefore, drivers are strongly warned against resisting arrest, fighting Police Officers and defeating or obstructing the course of justice. Rather, it is incumbent for drivers to cooperate and contribute towards the effective maintenance of law and order in the country.”

ZRP added that further details on both accidents will be released in due course.