Head‑on truck collision near Joko kills two, injures two

Accident scene [illustrative]

BEITBRIDGE — Two people were burned beyond recognition, and two others sustained serious burns after two commercial trucks collided head‑on and caught fire on Thursday evening, police confirmed.

The crash occurred at about 8:00 pm on the Beitbridge‑Harare Highway near the Joko resettlement area, Chief Superintendent Mesuli Ncube, the police officer commanding Beitbridge District, told reporters on Friday morning.

What happened

According to Chief Superintendent Ncube, one of the trucks was travelling from Harare towards Beitbridge and was empty except for the driver. The other vehicle was carrying a load of maize and had three occupants, including the driver and two passengers.

“Indications are that one of the trucks, which was empty, was travelling from Harare towards Beitbridge with only the driver,” Ncube said. “The second truck was carrying a load of maize and had three people, including two passengers. Upon reaching the Joko area, the driver who was heading towards Beitbridge tried to avoid hitting a cow that was on the road and encroached into the lane of oncoming traffic, resulting in a head‑on collision. As a result, the two vehicles caught fire and the driver and one passenger were burnt beyond recognition. Another passenger and the driver of the second truck sustained serious burns.”

Emergency responders extinguished the blaze and rushed the two injured survivors to Beitbridge Hospital, where they are reported to be in serious condition. The bodies of the two deceased were taken to the mortuary pending post‑mortem examinations.

Possible cause and road safety concerns

Police say preliminary indications point to an attempt to avoid a stray cow on the roadway as the immediate cause of the collision. The incident highlights ongoing road‑safety risks on major highways where livestock and pedestrians may stray onto fast‑moving traffic corridors, particularly after dark.

Authorities urged motorists to exercise caution on rural stretches of the highway and called on local communities to strengthen measures that prevent animals from wandering onto main roads.

Investigations and next steps

The Beitbridge traffic police have opened an investigation into the crash. Forensic teams are expected to examine the scene, inspect vehicle conditions, and interview witnesses to establish a full sequence of events. The results of the post‑mortems and the police inquiry will determine whether any criminal charges or traffic citations will follow.

Beitbridge Harare Highway truck collision 2026