Zimbabwe Minibus Crash Kills 27 People Near Chivhu

At least 27 people were killed in a head-on collision between a minibus taxi and a haulage truck in central Zimbabwe on Friday night, August 28, 2026. National police spokesperson Paul Nyathi confirmed that the crash occurred around 18:30 GMT near Chivhu, approximately 140 kilometers south of Harare. The impact caused the minibus to catch fire, leaving it completely burned and injuring seven survivors who received hospital treatment.

The foreign-registered haulage truck attempted to overtake another vehicle on the highway before crashing into the minibus. The transport vehicle carried members of an indigenous African Christian denomination wearing distinctive white robes who traveled toward a conference. Official figures indicate that human error accounts for 94 percent of road accidents in Zimbabwe, where deteriorating infrastructure and potholes create severe hazards.

This deadly incident highlights persistent safety challenges across southern African transport networks, where privately run minibus taxis face frequent scrutiny over overloading and dangerous driving. State broadcaster ZBC News reported that 23 individuals died at the scene while others succumbed to injuries at local medical facilities. Authorities continue to investigate the collision amid rising calls for stricter highway enforcement and infrastructure repairs.