The intersection commonly known as the DZ (Dzivarasekwa) Turn Off, just a few meters away from the tragic spot where the dearly missed musician Sam Mtukudzi and his driver and sound engineer, Owen Chimhare, lost their lives in a fatal accident in March 2010, continues to be one of the deadliest stretches along the Harare-Bulawayo highway.
Despite various efforts over the years to minimize the risk at this zone, including the installation of traffic lights at the two intersections, fatal accidents have continued to occur.
According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), from January 2024 to March 2025, the DZ Turn Off stretch, located about 10 kilometers from Harare’s CBD along the Harare-Bulawayo highway, has recorded 17 fatal accidents, claiming 34 lives and leaving 42 injured.
These statistics paint a grim picture, confirming that something is wrong with this stretch, and there is an urgent need for solutions.
The latest accident, which occurred on March 19, claimed the lives of eight people and injured 11 others. This accident comes barely a few months after another fatal one at the same stretch, resulting in the loss of lives and many injuries.
Stakeholders, including representatives from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID), the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, and the City of Harare, among others, recently visited the scene and held a meeting to discuss the urgent need for safety measures in the area.
Accidents have claimed lives across the breadth and width of the country, and the arts industry has also lost many artistes to fatal road accidents. Jackie Madondo, Timothy Magaya, Garry Mapanzure, Diva Mafunga, Moana Amuli, Sam Mtukudzi, and Owen Chimhare are just some of the many artistes who perished in road traffic accidents.
In their contribution to finding lasting solutions to this plight, top Zimbabwean artistes have added their voices, suggesting that more efforts should come from drivers and authorities alike.
In an interview, veteran gospel musician and religious leader Pastor Charles Charamba said authorities needed to look into the technical and engineering aspects of the DZ Turn Off road. He challenged road users to adhere to road rules to save lives on the roads.
“We probably need to do more in terms of the design of some of these sites. There may be a reduction if we alter the layout; it might be the one being taken for granted by motorists.
“Nothing beats adherence and compliance. We need to instill some sense of responsibility in motorists so that they come to a point of complying with the regulations of that particular spot. We have been and still are involved in road safety awareness, but some road users take the message lightly, just as rhetoric,” said Pastor Charamba.
He also suggested that convictions of lawbreakers should be publicized to send a warning to would-be offenders.
“We have not witnessed many publicized convictions of illegal road users, like drivers without licenses. The absence of punitive measures will continue to turn our roads into a jungle. Potential offenders need to learn about the consequences and the inconveniences brought about by wantonly breaking traffic laws,” he added.
Commenting on the mix of people on the road, Pastor Charamba further suggested that drivers should be vetted so that we have the right ones on the roads.
“The road is always concurrently shared by a cocktail of characters who include the licensed, unlicensed, school dropouts, learned, the kind, the cruel, riotous, timid-humane, sober, drunken, sick, and healthy. We need to bring forth more measures that ensure that drivers are sifted, and that they are qualified for road usage at all times.
“Besides, we must be a people of love. If we love the next person, like the Bible says, we won’t expose them to the risks that characterize the bad traffic culture that we have,” he said.
Pastor Matheus Mhere, another celebrated gospel singer, on the other hand, said there was a need to keep preaching the message, urging fellow celebrities to incorporate the message when they address gatherings or their audiences.
“As a Christian leader, I am just sending the same message that the ZRP, VID, Traffic Safety Council, and others are preaching: Let’s respect the laws of the road, let’s avoid negligence, and let’s avoid driving under the influence of alcohol, and let’s value the sanctity of life.”
“Employers should not employ unqualified drivers, as this practice is endangering passengers. Drivers should also avoid taking drugs and driving, as this can all lead to accidents. Speeding thrills but kills,” he said.
Pastor Mhere emphasized that it was everyone’s duty, whether Christian or not, to respect the road rules and drive with caution. He called on fellow artistes to reinvigorate spreading the message, exploiting every opportunity they may have.
Rising gospel artist Tatenda Maware, better known as Famba Mupostori, said drivers should ensure that they don’t let music obstruct them from observing road rules.
“We provide music for people to enjoy, but drivers must ensure that the volume doesn’t obstruct their hearing and communication with other road users.
“Often, we’ve seen drivers blasting their music, which prevents them from hearing horns and sirens from other vehicles. This is dangerous and needs to be avoided at all costs,” he said.
For award-winning gospel diva Dorcas Moyo, the loss of life on the roads is a cause for concern; hence, the need for all people to throw their weight behind fighting road carnage.
“It is really devastating to be losing lives at the rate we are. It is even more regrettable if the loss of life is caused by human error.”
“I firmly believe all the clergy should come together and exorcise our roads. The said point should indeed be committed to the Almighty God for cleansing,” she said.
She further rallied fellow artists to use their talents to campaign against recklessness on the roads.
“Our various artistic prowess should be consolidated to make our voice even louder. The singer should increase the crescendo, the visual artist paint all the more, the sculptor carve and carve until the word saturates the world.
“Life is a precious gift from God; as such, we have to respect it with the merit it bears. We only live once, and there is no gamble with life.”
She sounded a call to motorists to put safety above everything else.
“All motorists, I implore you to think, eat, and sleep safety. Let us not experiment with life, for there is no second chance. It is my prayer that our God is going to intervene and ensure that there is minimal carnage on our roads,” urged the Mutare-based singer.
Veteran clown Lawrence Dembo, popularly known as Ajigija, said increasing police officers and speed-reducing mechanisms at identified black spots throughout the country should be considered for adoption.
“We need police officers in these areas that have been identified as black spots. Usually, when a driver sees a reflector, they become cautious and reduce speed,” he said.
The urgency of the situation is clear, and the collaboration between authorities, faith-based organizations, and the arts community signals a united front in addressing this critical issue.
It is clear that the tragic loss of life on our roads can be mitigated if concerted efforts are made by all stakeholders, from the government to the driving public and community leaders.
As the arts community has shown, their voice can play a crucial role in influencing societal behavior. Through music, art, and other forms of expression, these artistes have the power to reach and inspire the masses, spreading messages of caution, responsibility, and respect for life.
Their commitment to using their platforms for good, alongside calls for greater collaboration with authorities, sends a strong message that road safety is not only a matter of law but also one of collective responsibility.
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