A scene of horror unfolded on 6th Avenue last night after a speeding kombi driver lost control, veered off the road and struck a group of pedestrians, killing two people on the spot and injuring twelve others.

The fatal incident occurred at around 2016 hours on Tuesday near OK Godini, when the driver of a Toyota Hiace, carrying 18 passengers, swerved violently and hit 14 people standing and walking alongside the road before crashing into a wall.

The deceased were identified as Christopher Mukuwapasi, believed to be in his late 30s and Lizzie Nkube, aged 30, of Cowdray Park.
The injured were rushed to Mpilo Hospital for treatment.

Bulawayo Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, confirmed the driver, a 28-year-old man from Emakhandeni, has been arrested and charged with culpable homicide.

“The cause of the accident was due to speeding and failure to keep a proper lookout by the driver,” said Inspector Msebele.

She issued a stern warning to all motorists, emphasising the need for constant vigilance. “We urge all drivers to be extra careful when driving, to be on the lookout for pedestrians at all times, avoid over‑speeding and high‑take‑off speeds, especially in places with high pedestrian movements, and to observe all rules and regulations so as to avoid such accidents.”

Inspector Msebele also placed responsibility on kombi operators and passengers.
“Owners of public service vehicles are urged to employ properly licensed and experienced drivers. Passengers are discouraged from boarding from undesignated places but to board at designated pick‑up points.”

The tragedy has reignited concerns over reckless driving and pedestrian safety in the city’s busy corridors, with police underscoring that the loss of life was entirely preventable.

Former World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver welterweight champion Charles Manyuchi wants to accelerate the promotion of grassroots boxing across the country in 2026.

The respected boxer is already in the process of establishing a boxing academy in Chivhu, where he was gifted a large piece of land by the local council.

Through the Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy Promotion, Manyuchi is among the organisers of the Trabablas Gloves On Boxing Tournament, which is set to be staged in all 10 provinces of the country.

The inaugural edition of the tournament was held in Chivhu last November.

“We are not turning back on our desire to uplift young boxers across the country.

“President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared drug abuse among the youth a national disaster, and we believe boxing can play a key role in combating this scourge.

“At the same time, Government has a vision of attaining an upper-middle-income economy by 2030, and we want to align ourselves with that vision.

“Boxing should leave no place and no one behind,” said Manyuchi.

He added that his goal is to see more children take up boxing, adding that plans are underway to engage the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to strengthen the sport in schools.

Manyuchi also believes that Kirsty Coventry’s position as International Olympic Committee (IOC) president should give Zimbabwe greater leverage on the global sporting stage.

• Mutana Drives Grassroots Development in Epworth
• Epworth MP Delivers Food, Schools and Infrastructure
• Community Backs Mutana, Dismisses Fake News Claims

On a dusty roadside in Epworth, the line begins to form long before the sun reaches its peak. Hundreds of residents, from elderly grandparents to young mothers with children clinging to their skirts, wait patiently.

Their destination is not a government office or an international aid station, but a community-led initiative spearheaded by their local Member of Parliament.

Each person leaves with a parcel of rice — a basic staple that represents security, dignity, and a promise that their community has not been forgotten.

This scene is part of a quiet but profound transformation unfolding in one of Harare’s most populous constituencies.

At the heart of this change is Honourable Taedzwa Mutana, the ZANU–PF Member of Parliament for Epworth South and a member of the party’s influential Central Committee.

While national and global dialogues often focus on grand policy, Mutana is demonstrating a different model of leadership: one where Vision 2030 — President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ambitious goal to elevate Zimbabwe to an upper-middle-income economy — is being built not just with words, but with rice, bricks, textbooks and paved roads.

The MP with a Mission

Taedzwa Mutana represents the people of Epworth South in the National Assembly, a constituency where the challenges are as immense as the potential.

His role extends beyond Parliament; as a member of ZANU–PF’s Central Committee,Committee, the party’s highest decision-making body, he operates at the critical intersection of national policy and grassroots implementation.

For Mutana, political office is not merely a title, but a platform for service.

“Vision 2030 will not be realised in boardrooms in Harare alone,” Mutana said.

“It will be realised in the streets of Epworth, in our schools, and in the daily lives of our people. My responsibility is to make sure that national policy translates into real change on the ground.”

His development model focuses on four pillars: food security, education, infrastructure and economic empowerment.

Nourishing a Community

In a global environment where international food assistance is shrinking, local solutions have become critical. Mutana’s feeding programme has emerged as a lifeline for the most vulnerable.

According to community leaders, the initiative feeds about 300 vulnerable residents daily, including the elderly, child-headed households and people living with disabilities.

“For some of us, this food is the difference between sleeping hungry and having strength to face another day,” said Mai Rudo Machingauta, a grandmother of five.

“People can talk on social media, but we are here every week. We see the MP with our own eyes.”

Another resident, Tawanda Chikomborero, describes the programme as restoring dignity.

“He doesn’t ask for party cards or favours. If you are hungry, you are helped. That’s leadership.”

Education, Infrastructure and Opportunity

Beyond food aid, Mutana has channelled resources into school renovations, learning materials, borehole drilling and road rehabilitation, particularly in informal settlements often overlooked by development planners.

Local school development committees confirm the donation of textbooks and furniture, while youth groups point to skills training and empowerment projects that have enabled small income-generating ventures.

“Before, our children walked long distances to unsafe water sources,” Memory Zinyengere said.

“Now we have boreholes. These are not promises — they are things we can touch.”

Responding to Fake Narratives

Despite these visible efforts, Mutana has not been spared from misinformation campaigns circulating on social media and fringe platforms.

Community leaders are quick to dismiss the claims.

“People spreading fake news do not live here,” said Epworth resident and community organizer Joseph Manyika.

“If they did, they would know the work that is happening. Development speaks louder than lies.”

Mutana himself remains measured.

“When you are working, noise is inevitable,” he said.

“But I remain focused. My duty is to serve the people, not to respond to fabrications. The truth is visible in the lives being changed.”

A Grounded Vision for 2030

In Epworth South, Vision 2030 is not an abstract slogan. It is visible in full stomachs, improved classrooms and communities that feel seen and supported.

As Zimbabwe charts its path toward inclusive development, the Epworth experience offers a compelling lesson: national transformation is built from the ground up , one community, one household, one act of service at a time.

And for the residents lining up on dusty roads at dawn, leadership is not measured by headlines, but by who shows up, consistently, quietly, and with results.