The death toll from the accident on the Harare-Mutare highway involving two buses and a haulage truck last Thursday has increased to five, with one victim succumbing to injuries at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the development in a statement over the weekend.

The victims have been identified as Jerina Nhapi (38) from Buhera, Beatrice Chihabvu (38) from Rusape, Kennedy Ngoshi (40) from Chitungwiza, Plaxedes Kasambwa (36) from Rusape, and Monica Katena (54) from Harare.

The crash occurred on June 6, 2024, at the 32km peg near the popular Mutangadura entertainment joint around lunchtime.

Four people died at the scene, while 14 others were injured, after a haulage truck driver’s negligence.

In a statement released last Friday, police attributed the deadly crash to the haulage truck driver.

“The ZRP has established that a Freightliner truck, which was travelling towards Marondera and occupying the outer lane, turned right onto the inner lane, in front of a Tenda bus, which was travelling towards Marondera with 56 passengers on board. The bus was about to overtake the haulage truck.

“As a result, four people were killed while 14 others were injured,” said police.

The bodies of the victims were taken to Marondera Provincial Hospital mortuary for postmortem examinations, while the injured were treated at Marondera and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.

Meanwhile, the Freightliner truck driver, Pardon Tichaona Sungai (31), who fled the scene following the fatal accident, has surrendered himself to the police. He is expected to appear in court facing culpable homicide charges.