Bulawayo Family Wiped Out: Nation Mourns Soldier and Kin in Tragic Highway Crash

SHANGANI — The nation is in deep mourning following a horrific road traffic accident along the Harare–Bulawayo Road that claimed the lives of a Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) soldier, his wife, and their two young children. The tragedy, occurring just 10km past Shangani on Monday, April 7, 2026, marks another dark chapter in a season already marred by road fatalities.

The deceased have been identified as Lance Corporal Tumelo Dube (33), his wife Antonate Sibonginkosi Mashava Dube, and their children, Itumele (8) and Lorisana (1).

A somber atmosphere enveloped the State House Presidential Barracks in Sauerstown, Bulawayo, as a military funeral parade was held for the fallen soldier. Lance Corporal Dube, a member of the elite Presidential Guard, was described by superiors as a paragon of discipline.

“Tumelo Dube was a dedicated professional who served in the VIP Close Security Unit. His loss is felt deeply not only by his family but by the entire Zimbabwe National Army,” said Chief Mourner Lieutenant Colonel Tongai Hove.

Dube, who joined the ZNA in 2012, was a decorated soldier, holding the Independence Medal and the 10 Years’ Service Medal. At the time of the crash, the family was reportedly travelling from Harare to Bulawayo to begin work on a new family home.

While official police investigations are ongoing, the Dube family has raised concerns regarding the circumstances of the crash. According to relatives, evidence at the scene suggests the involvement of a second vehicle.

• Evidence: A side mirror fragment was discovered approximately 100 metres from the wreckage.

• Witnesses: Local villagers reported hearing a massive impact before rushing to the scene to find three occupants already deceased.

• Hospitalization: The youngest child, Lorisana, was rushed to a hospital in Gweru but tragically succumbed to injuries shortly after arrival.

This latest incident follows the heart-wrenching loss of six members of the Mujuru family in Chikomba District during the Easter break. National police statistics reveal a grim reality on Zimbabwe's highways; the 2026 Easter period alone claimed 30 lives, with 337 crashes recorded countrywide.

Road safety experts continue to urge motorists to exercise extreme caution on the Harare-Bulawayo highway, often cited for its high-speed traffic and stray livestock.

The Dube family will be laid to rest at their ancestral home in rural Gwanda.

Harare-Bulawayo road accident 2026