Zimbabwe: State of Disaster Declared Under Civil Protection Act After 27 Deaths

• A severe road accident on the Harare-Masvingo highway in Mashonaland East claimed 27 lives.
• The collision involved a haulage truck and a commuter omnibus carrying African Apostolic (Mwazha) Church members.
• President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a State of Disaster under Section 27(1) of the Civil Protection Act [Chapter 10:06].
• This declaration enables the mobilization of resources and coordinated assistance for affected individuals and families.
• Authorities are currently working to identify the deceased and conduct post-mortem examinations at Chivhu General Hospital.

The primary objective of this presidential declaration is to facilitate the rapid mobilization of essential resources and ensure a coordinated approach to providing assistance for both the survivors and the families bereaved by the tragedy.

A catastrophic road accident on the Harare-Masvingo highway, specifically near Honeyspruit Bridge in the Chikomba District of Mashonaland East, has led to the deaths of 27 individuals. The incident involved a head-on collision between a haulage truck, which was transporting mining equipment from South Africa to Goromonzi, and a commuter omnibus. The omnibus was carrying members of the African Apostolic (Mwazha) Church who were en route from Dema to Ndarikure in Mvuma.

According to Daniel Garwe, the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, the impact of the collision immediately ignited a fire. This blaze tragically trapped several passengers inside the minibus, with some succumbing to fatal burns. The immediate aftermath saw 24 people perish at the crash site, while three more victims later died from their injuries after being transported to Chivhu General Hospital, bringing the confirmed death toll to 27 as of August 29.

Beyond the fatalities, seven other individuals sustained critical injuries and were admitted to Chivhu General Hospital, with reports indicating that some have since been transferred to Harare for more specialized medical attention. The driver of the commuter omnibus was among those who died, while the truck driver survived the crash and was evacuated by ambulance to Harare for medical treatment. Emergency response teams from Civil Protection structures, aided by local residents from Chivhu, swiftly deployed to the scene to carry out rescue, recovery, and other urgent operations. Small cranes were utilized to retrieve victims, and a fire tender was brought in to extinguish the flames.

In response to the devastating accident, President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially declared a State of Disaster. This declaration was made under the authority of Section 27(1) of the Civil Protection Act [Chapter 10:06], a critical piece of legislation in Zimbabwe. The primary objective of this presidential declaration is to facilitate the rapid mobilization of essential resources and ensure a coordinated approach to providing assistance for both the survivors and the families bereaved by the tragedy.

Minister Garwe confirmed that the collision left the haulage truck and its mining equipment scattered across the carriageway, causing a temporary disruption to traffic flow on the vital highway. However, with the aid of a heavy-duty crane, the wreckage was subsequently cleared, allowing for the restoration of normal traffic movement. The bodies of the deceased have been transported to the mortuary at Chivhu General Hospital, where identification processes and post-mortem examinations are currently underway. Authorities are collaborating closely with relevant stakeholders to verify the identities of the victims before their names are publicly released.

The activation of the Civil Protection Act, Chapter 10:06, through the State of Disaster declaration, underscores the gravity of the incident and the government's commitment to a comprehensive response. This legal framework empowers the state to deploy additional resources and streamline the coordination of aid for those affected, extending beyond immediate rescue to long-term support for bereaved families. Such declarations can also have significant implications for legal processes, including liability assessments, insurance claims, and the procurement of services and goods related to disaster management, highlighting the far-reaching impact of the Zimbabwe State of Disaster Civil Protection Act.

The government has extended its profound condolences to the families, relatives, and friends of those who lost their lives, as well as to the wider community of the African Apostolic (Mwazha) Church. Efforts to consolidate information and establish the identities of the deceased are ongoing, with officials emphasizing that names will be released only after the identification process is complete and duly verified. This meticulous approach ensures accuracy and respect for the victims and their families during a period of immense grief.

Lawyers should note the activation of the Civil Protection Act's provisions, which may influence liability, insurance claims, and public procurement related to disaster response and resource mobilization in Zimbabwe.

Source: Original reporting via New Zimbabwe