By Melisa Chikomo
Three people have died after the vehicle they were travelling in was swept away by a flooded river along the Mashava–Downlands gravel road in the Midlands Province.
According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the incident occurred on 3 March 2026 at around 1600 hours at Nyanyange River Bridge, which had been flooded following heavy rains.
Police said Courage Musvuti (27), of Beatrice in Seke, was driving a Ford Ranger Wildtrak carrying three passengers when he attempted to cross the flooded bridge.
The vehicle was swept away by the strong current as it tried to cross the river.
Musvuti managed to swim out of the river and survived the incident. However, the three passengers were trapped inside the vehicle.
On 4 March 2026, local villagers managed to retrieve the vehicle from the river and recovered the bodies of the passengers.
The deceased were identified as Ishmael Zimhindo (30) of Habard Farm in Beatrice, Talent Piruke (23), and Skylar Ruvarashe Musvuti, a female juvenile aged two, both of Beatrice in Seke.
Midlands Provincial Community Relations Liaison Officer Emmanuel Mahoko urged motorists to avoid attempting to cross flooded rivers.
Police have reiterated that drivers should wait for water levels to subside before crossing in order to prevent tragedies on the country’s roads.
