Kombi collides with refuse compactor in Zimbabwe

Several people sustained injuries in a traffic accident this morning at the busy intersection of Sam Nujoma Street and Robert Mugabe Road in Harare.

The incident occurred when a speeding commuter omnibus, attempting to overtake a City of Harare refuse compactor, failed to clear the maneuver and collided with the vehicle. Eyewitnesses reported that the omnibus driver was trying to beat a red light when the crash happened.

The force of the collision caused the omnibus to veer off the road, leaving multiple passengers injured and trapped inside the vehicle. The refuse compactor suffered minor damage.

Ms. Dorcas Siziba, one of the first people at the scene, described the chaotic aftermath. "When we arrived to help, the passengers were trapped in the kombi. We couldn't push the truck until more help arrived. Eventually, we managed to release the passengers," she said.

Another eyewitness, Ms. Betty Ngwerume, criticized the lack of caution among drivers, particularly given the malfunctioning traffic lights in the area. "Most traffic lights are not working, and drivers are not exercising patience. We need to give way to each other to prevent accidents," she said.

Emergency services responded promptly, providing first aid to the injured before transporting them to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.

This incident has reignited calls for improved traffic management and driver discipline in Harare, particularly at intersections where non-functioning traffic lights have become a frequent hazard.