Police hunt for 15 drivers over hit-and-run accidents

Crime Reporter

POLICE are looking for more than 15 drivers of both private and public vehicles involved in recent hit-and-run accidents across the country.

These incidents often involve pedestrians who are struck and either killed or injured while crossing roads, with the motorists fleeing the scene without offering assistance or reporting the accident—a serious offence that can lead to higher sentences in court.

Some drivers have already been arrested and, in cases resulting in death, charged with culpable homicide, while others remain at large.

The police have reiterated that the law mandates drivers to stop after being involved in an accident.

Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the national police spokesperson, expressed concern over the rising number of hit-and-run incidents, stressing the importance of responsible driving.

“According to the law, drivers should stop and render assistance, but it is worrying that some of them speed off and do not even make a report to the police.”

Comm Nyathi warned that those apprehended will face severe legal consequences.

In Kwekwe, police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run that occurred on December 31, 2024, at a roundabout along the Harare–Bulawayo Road.

A male juvenile was killed, and his mother was injured by a haulage truck that was circling the roundabout.

In Bulawayo on January 1, a 23-year-old man was killed by an unknown driver on Khami Road opposite DA Service Station. The driver did not stop after the incident.

Also on January 1, in Harare, a yet-to-be-identified man, aged about 30 years old, was killed on Magoda Road, with the driver fleeing the scene.

Along the Harare-Bulawayo Road on December 31, another unidentified man was killed around 9:30pm, with the body taken to Sally Mugabe Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem.

Police are also investigating a hit-and-run incident where a motorist driving a white Nissan AD Van (registration number AFV 1597) hit a police officer directing traffic near Chevron Hotel on December 30, 2024, in Masvingo. The officer sustained injuries, and the driver did not stop.

Meanwhile, along the Harare-Wedza Road, an unidentified man was killed on December 30, 2024, at the 38km peg, again with the driver fleeing.

In a separate case, police in Harare are seeking assistance in identifying the body of a 12-year-old boy who died after being hit by a vehicle along Seke Road in October.

The body is currently at Parirenyatwa Hospital mortuary.

“Police in Harare are appealing for information which may assist in identifying the body of a male juvenile approximately 12 years old, medium built and 1.2 metres in height, who was involved in a fatal road traffic accident on December 18, 2024, along Seke Road near ABC Auction floor.”

Anyone with information or who may be missing a relative matching this description is urged to report to the nearest police station.