One dies after Toyota Aqua slams into pedestrians at busy Harare crossing

A routine attempt to cross the road ended in tragedy after a Toyota Aqua struck two pedestrians at a designated pedestrian crossing along Samora Machel Avenue in Harare. One of the victims later died in hospital, while the other remains admitted as police continue with investigations.

 

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed that the fatal crash occurred at around 1:50 pm on Sunday, 2 August 2026, at the Showgrounds pedestrian crossing. Police also used the incident to remind motorists and pedestrians about the importance of road safety.

 

According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police, both victims were using the marked pedestrian crossing when the Toyota Aqua hit them.

 

Police said one of the pedestrians, aged 40, died after being admitted to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, while the second victim, aged 33, sustained injuries and remains hospitalised.

 

A police statement read: “The ZRP confirms a fatal road traffic accident which occurred on 02/08/2026 at around 1350 hours along Samora Machel Avenue at the Showgrounds pedestrian crossing point in Harare. A Toyota Aqua struck two pedestrians who were crossing at the designated pedestrian crossing.”

 

The ZRP urged motorists to slow down when approaching pedestrian crossings and to always give way to pedestrians. Police also appealed to pedestrians to remain cautious before crossing roads, even at designated crossing points.

 

The force said: “The ZRP urges motorists to exercise extreme caution, keep a proper lookout, reduce speed when approaching pedestrian crossings and always give way to pedestrians. Pedestrians are also encouraged to remain vigilant and ensure it is safe to cross roads, even when using designated crossing points.”

 

The ZRP added that motorists who fail to comply with road safety rules at pedestrian crossings will face legal action.

 

“The ZRP will ensure the law takes its course on drivers who fail to observe and respect the tenets of road safety at designated pedestrian crossing points.”

 

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash are continuing. *_-iHarare_*

 

 

 

 

 

13. *Mother from hell jailed 17 years for rape after offering up daughter to her stepfather*

 

A woman from Esigodini has been jailed for 17 years after a court convicted her of facilitating the rape of her 17-year-old daughter by the girl’s stepfather. The woman’s husband was also sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment, bringing the couple’s combined sentence to 34 years.

 

The pair, whose identities have been withheld to protect the complainant, were convicted by Gwanda regional magistrate Mrs Sithembiso Ndebele. The case stemmed from an incident that occurred on 31 March 2025, with sentencing reported on 1 August 2026.

 

The Chronicle reports that the court heard the incident unfolded after an argument between the couple over allegations of infidelity.

 

Prosecutor Ngonidzashe Shumba told the court that the mother suggested her husband have sex with her teenage daughter in an attempt to calm him following the domestic dispute.

 

“The woman then dragged the complainant into the kitchen, locked her inside together with her husband, who told the victim that he was going to pay for her mother’s wrongdoing,” Mr Shumba told the court.

 

The court heard that the stepfather raped the teenager before his wife unlocked the door, allowing him to leave.

 

The abuse only came to light after the complainant’s grandmother became concerned when the teenager missed her menstrual cycle and questioned her.

 

The teenager then disclosed what had happened, prompting the matter to be reported to the police. Investigations led to the couple’s arrest and subsequent prosecution.

 

Following the trial, the regional court sentenced both the mother and stepfather to effective 17-year prison terms for rape-related offences.

 

Zimbabwean courts continue to impose lengthy custodial sentences in rape cases, particularly those involving children and vulnerable victims.

 

The identities of the complainant and the convicted couple have not been published to protect the survivor’s identity, in line with legal and ethical reporting standards.

 

The sentencing concludes a case that began with a domestic dispute but ultimately resulted in the conviction and imprisonment of both the mother and the stepfather after the teenager disclosed the abuse. *_-iHarare_*