Driver, Conductor Arrested After Gweru Kombi Fire Killed Seven Schoolchildren

GWERU – Police have arrested the driver and conductor of a commuter omnibus that caught fire in Gweru's Senga suburb, killing seven young schoolchildren in one of Zimbabwe's worst recent school transport tragedies.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed on Friday that the driver, Malcolm Elvis Cook (22), and the conductor, Trinity Mudhenge (18), have been arrested and charged with culpable homicide. The arrests follow investigations into the fatal incident that occurred on 8 June 2026 near Chirandu Business Centre in Senga, where a kombi transporting pupils home from school was engulfed in flames.

According to police, preliminary investigations established that the vehicle had collected learners from several schools before the fire broke out. Commissioner Nyathi said investigators discovered that the conductor had boarded the omnibus carrying a container of petrol.

"Investigations established that on the day in question, the vehicle had picked up school children from various schools before the conductor boarded the omnibus carrying a jerry can containing approximately nine litres of petrol, which was placed behind the driver's seat," said Commissioner Nyathi.

Police said the fuel container was positioned inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Authorities said the blaze started while the kombi was travelling along its route.

"While the vehicle was travelling along its route, a flame was observed emanating from the area where the fuel container had been placed, resulting in the tragic incident," Commissioner Nyathi said.

The fire occurred approximately 100 metres from Matongo Primary School near Chirandu Business Centre. The flames rapidly spread through the vehicle, trapping some of the children inside. The tragedy shocked communities across Zimbabwe and sparked renewed concerns over learner transport safety and the transportation of flammable substances in public service vehicles.

Seven infant learners died in the fire, while other children managed to escape or were rescued from the burning vehicle. Several injured pupils were taken to the hospital for treatment following the incident. Authorities have not yet released the names of the deceased children. Commissioner Nyathi said formal identification procedures are still underway.

"The identities of the seven victims will only be released after DNA testing has been completed and identification has been made and confirmed," he said.

The tragedy has prompted calls for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations governing public transport operators and vehicles used to transport schoolchildren. Transport safety experts have long warned against carrying fuel and other hazardous substances inside passenger vehicles, particularly those transporting children. The incident has also raised questions about vehicle inspections, operator compliance, and safety oversight within the public transport sector.

Meanwhile, police investigations continue as authorities seek to establish all the circumstances surrounding the fatal fire. The accused are expected to appear in court to answer charges of culpable homicide. The nation continues to mourn the loss of the seven young learners whose lives were cut short in the devastating blaze.

Gweru kombi fire