Police in Shurugwi are investigating a fatal road traffic accident that claimed three lives and left one person missing after a vehicle plunged into a disused mine pit along the Gweru-Zvishavane Road on March 2, 2025, around 6 PM.
ZRP Midlands spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said Aaron Mpofu (20) of Village 5, Dorset in Shurugwi, was driving a Honda Fit Hybrid southbound along the Gweru-Zvishavane Road with five passengers on board. Upon reaching the 53-kilometre peg, the vehicle veered off the road and fell into a water-filled mine pit located just a few meters away.
One of the passengers, Panashe Munyimi, managed to escape by breaking through the damaged front windshield and swimming to safety. A team of officers, including members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Sub Aqua Unit, responded to the scene and retrieved the bodies of Hazel Funhiro (19) of Rift Fontaine and the driver, Aaron Mpofu. Villagers had already recovered the body of Miriam Mpofu (28) after it was found floating.
The Sub Aqua team continues searching for the missing passenger, Abednigo Mpofu, with efforts underway to pump out water from the pit in collaboration with other stakeholders.
Police have urged motorists to exercise caution and adhere to safe driving speeds, emphasizing that excessive speed remains a major contributor to road fatalities.
The bodies of the deceased were taken to Shurugwi Hospital Mortuary.
