Fatal bridal party accident case takes dramatic twist

A dramatic turn has emerged in the case of a fatal road accident that claimed the lives of three members of a bridal party en route to Ruwa, after the accused truck driver withdrew his initial guilty plea.

Kenyan national Ibrahim Albashire Adanw, who was driving a haulage truck involved in the deadly collision, has applied to retract his earlier admission of culpable homicide, sparking outrage and disbelief among the bereaved families.

The accident occurred on December 23, 2025, at the notorious Mufusire Uphill along the Harare–Mutare Highway near Headlands. Adanw's white Benz haulage truck reportedly collided head-on with a Nissan Note, killing Ngonidzashe Simango, Taurai Kaseke and Ngoni Mutsoka, who were part of a bridal party travelling to Ruwa.

Adanw had initially pleaded guilty to culpable homicide before Rusape magistrate Mrs Barbra Mateko. However, following engagement of legal counsel, he applied to change his plea, arguing that his admission was not made with a full understanding of the charge and its legal implications.

Through his lawyer, Mr Tendai Bvuma of Bvuma and Associates, Adanw contended that the essential elements of negligence were not properly explained to him at the time of plea.

"What was explained to the accused was simply that he drove a motor vehicle and that the driving resulted in the death of three people. Driving and causing death, in itself, is not an offence," submitted Mr Bvuma.

He argued that the offence only arises when negligence is clearly outlined and admitted, which he claims did not happen in this case.

Mr Bvuma further told the court that Adanw had consistently maintained that the accident was unavoidable. According to the defence, there was a stationary truck in Adanw's lane, prompting him to move into the opposite lane to overtake. At that point, the Nissan Note allegedly appeared suddenly, travelling downhill at excessive speed.

"The Nissan Note was speeding down the slope while the applicant's truck was going uphill. The collision could never have been avoided. There is no indication that the applicant fully understood the concept of negligence or admitted to it," said Mr Bvuma.

He added that no evidence was placed on record to show that Adanw made an informed and voluntary plea of guilty.

The State, however, strongly opposed the application.

Prosecutor Ms Faith Mutukwa argued that the plea was properly taken and that Adanw had admitted to the essential elements of the offence.

She told the court that Adanw caused the accident by overtaking in the face of oncoming traffic and travelling at excessive speed.

"On December 23 at around 8am, the accused was driving a white Benz truck (AGI 288 MP) towards Mutare. Upon reaching the 120km peg, he encroached into the opposite lane, resulting in a head-on collision with a Nissan Note (AHC 0831) driven by Ngonidzashe Simango," said Ms Mutukwa.

She said Simango and his two passengers, Taurai Kaseke and Ngoni Mutsoka, died on the spot, with post-mortem reports attributing their deaths to severe head injuries. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage.

The State alleges that Adanw was negligent by overtaking in front of an oncoming vehicle, travelling at an excessive speed, failing to keep a proper lookout and failing to act when an accident became imminent.

Mrs Mateko is expected to deliver her ruling on the application today (Friday).

Meanwhile, the victims' families remain distraught, saying the sudden change of plea has reopened wounds as they continue to mourn the tragic loss of their loved ones.