By Staff Reporter
The Easter holidays have started on a devastating note after a mother and her five children perished in a horrific head-on collision along the Harare-Masvingo Highway on Thursday (March 2) morning.
Police confirmed that the fatal accident occurred at around 9:50 AM at the 246-kilometre peg near Masvingo when a Toyota Corolla and a Mercedes-Benz truck collided. Sources allege the victims were Lilian Maranda Mujuru (40), the mother who was driving the vehicle, and her five children and the family was travelling from Harare to Zvishavane when tragedy struck.
According to police reports, the woman reportedly lost control of the Toyota Corolla, causing it to veer into the opposite lane where it was hit by the oncoming haulage truck. The truck was heading in the opposite direction towards Harare.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that all six occupants of the Toyota Corolla died instantly at the scene.
The victims have been identified by their next of kin as Lilian Maranda Mujuru (40), Nokutenda Mujuru (15), Makanaka Mujuru (13), Ronald Junior Mujuru (11), Rufaro Shalom Mujuru (7), and Kayden Mujuru (3).
Their bodies were taken to the Masvingo Provincial Teaching Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations.
Police have extended their deepest condolences to the bereaved family and have urged all motorists to exercise extreme caution on the country’s roads during the holiday period. This accident marks a grim start to the Easter and Independence holidays, highlighting the ongoing dangers on one of Zimbabwe’s busiest highways despite recent road safety campaigns.
