2 dead, several injured in head-on crash

Two people died and nine others sustained injuries following a head-on collision involving a Zanu-PF-branded vehicle driven by Sheppard Marime, also known as Spillo, and a Toyota FunCargo along the Harare–Chirundu Highway near Karoi on Saturday night.

Marime, the Zanu-PF National Youth League Secretary for Education and a member of the party's central committee, was travelling towards Karoi when his vehicle reportedly veered into the opposite lane, colliding with the oncoming Toyota FunCargo.

Marime suffered serious injuries, including broken hands, but was reported to be in a stable condition upon arrival at the hospital. "Comrades, I was involved in an accident, but I'm fine because we were quickly attended to. Unfortunately, I broke all my hands," he said.

Tragically, two passengers from the Toyota FunCargo succumbed to their injuries at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital, while another passenger remains in critical condition. In total, nine people were injured in the crash.

Eyewitnesses said that despite his injuries, Marime attempted to lift spirits at the scene by chanting Zanu-PF slogans, including "Pamberi nekubatana (Forward with unity)" and "pasi nemhandu (Down with detractors)."

Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Ian Kohwera confirmed the accident. "Yes, we received an accident involving a Ford Ranger and a Toyota FunCargo at the 200km peg along the Harare–Chirundu road," he said.

Residents of Karoi have long expressed concern over this stretch of the highway, describing it as notorious for head-on collisions, citing narrow lanes and poor visibility at night as contributing factors.