At least 18 people perished on Thursday afternoon when a commuter omnibus exploded into flames along the Bulawayo–Beitbridge Road, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed.

The horrific incident occurred between Chipangali and the Gwanda tollgate sometime between 1300 hours pm and 1400 hours, according to a statement issued by ZRP National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi.

Commissioner Nyathi said the kombi burst into flames and exploded, leaving little chance for those on board to escape.

“The ZRP reports the death of plus or minus 18 people when a kombi exploded into fire between Chipangali and Gwanda tollgate along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road between 1300 hours and 1400 hours today he said “More details to be released in due course.”

The health sector is facing renewed disruption after nurses issued a four-day ultimatum to government, demanding urgent resolution of a long-standing pay and welfare dispute or risk a nationwide strike beginning April 20.

In a letter dated April 14 addressed to Health Service CommissionHealth Service Commission secretary Christopher Pasi, the Zimbabwe Nurses Association said nurses employed across all 10 provinces would withdraw their services from April 20 to April 22 if their concerns are not addressed.

The association, led by Enock Dongo, said members have reached a breaking point after months of demonstrations, petitions, and unsuccessful engagement with authorities.

At the centre of the dispute is remuneration. Nurses argue that recent salary adjustments have been minimal and have failed to keep pace with rising living costs. They say their earnings are no longer sufficient to cover basic needs such as transport to work.

With fuel prices continuing to increase, many nurses say even reporting for duty has become financially difficult.

The association said it has already exceeded the required 48-hour notice period, effectively giving government until April 19 to respond to their demands.

If no agreement is reached, the planned strike is expected to affect hospitals, clinics, and health centres nationwide, placing further pressure on an already strained health system.

However, critical care staff are expected to remain on duty, with the association indicating that nurses in intensive care and emergency units should not abandon patients.

The notice represents a significant escalation in the dispute, leaving government with only a few days to prevent a potential nationwide healthcare shutdown.

President of the Senate, Hon. M. M. Chinomona, has articulated Zimbabwe’s position during the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Forum of Women Parliamentarians’ draft resolution on the role of parliamentarians in establishing robust post-conflict management mechanisms and restoring just and lasting peace.

Hon. Chinomona yesterday emphasised that lasting peace is not achieved simply by ending conflict, but through justice, inclusion, and the meaningful participation of voices that are often excluded, particularly women and youth.

“Lasting peace is not achieved by ending conflict alone, but by justice, inclusion, and the meaningful participation of often excluded voices, especially women and youth,” Hon. Chinomona said.

She further underscored the critical role of women parliamentarians in peace processes, warning that excluding them weakens prospects for sustainable recovery and stability.

“Women parliamentarians are quintessential in the peace processes; leaving them out risks weakening sustainable recovery and stability because women and girls are not only beneficiaries of peace but essential architects of it,” she said.

Hon. Chinomona noted that, guided by Zimbabwe’s Constitution, Parliament is strengthening conflict management systems and monitoring peacebuilding efforts while advancing protection from gender-based violence through enforcement mechanisms and survivor support services aligned with the National Gender Policy (2025–2030).

She said peace and good governance remain central to national development under the National Development Strategy 2 (2026–2030).

Through initiatives such as the Zimbabwe Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, cooperation on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, and a focus on inclusive law-making and oversight, she said Parliament continues to strengthen trust, prevent relapse into conflict, and promote democracy, accountability, and civic engagement.

Hon. Chinomona concluded that inclusive parliamentary engagement remains key to sustaining peace and ensuring long-term stability.