Harare kombi driver jailed after passenger falls from moving omnibus and dies

A commuter omnibus driver from Harare has been jailed after a passenger who was clinging to the rear bumper of a moving kombi fell onto the road and later died from his injuries. According to The Herald, 33-year-old Nyasha Muteweye was convicted of culpable homicide by the Mbare Magistrates’ Court following the fatal incident that occurred in the early hours of February 5, 2026.

The court heard that Muteweye was driving a Toyota Hiace along Simon Mazorodze Road towards Waterfalls shortly after midnight when he allegedly allowed a passenger to hang onto the rear bumper of the moving vehicle. As the kombi approached Chinzou Roundabout, Muteweye reportedly failed to negotiate a curve while speeding, causing the vehicle to swerve. The passenger lost grip and fell onto the road, sustaining severe injuries. Witnesses at the scene said the victim landed heavily after the kombi veered unexpectedly.

“People shouted for the driver to stop after the passenger fell,” said one eyewitness.

The injured passenger was rushed to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital for treatment but died five days later. Prosecutors argued that Muteweye acted negligently by allowing unsafe passenger conduct and failing to properly control the vehicle.

“The court found that Muteweye acted negligently by allowing unsafe passenger behaviour, failing to maintain proper control of the vehicle and speeding under the circumstances,” court findings stated.

Muteweye was sentenced to two years in prison. The court also cancelled his driver’s licence and barred him from driving Class 2 vehicles for two years. Road safety expert Leonard Chikomba said the judgment sends a strong message to public transport operators.

“Drivers have a duty of care toward passengers, even those behaving recklessly,” he said.

The case has reignited concern over the dangerous practice commonly known as “kombi surfing”, where passengers or touts cling to moving commuter omnibuses using bumpers, mirrors, or doors. The behaviour has become increasingly common in some urban areas, especially during peak hours when kombis are overloaded. Motorists say they often keep their distance behind such vehicles out of fear that someone could suddenly fall into traffic.

“The risk becomes even greater when drivers speed or take corners sharply,” said Harare motorist Tinashe Moyo.

Authorities say similar fatal cases have previously been recorded across Zimbabwe. In December last year, a kombi driver in Bindura was arrested after a tout allegedly fell from the rear bumper of a moving kombi. Fedelis Dhewu, spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Republic Police in Mashonaland Central, warned against the practice.

“We are warning touts to desist from hanging at the back of vehicles in motion and drivers should be extra careful because we do not want to lose precious life unnecessarily,” he said.

Police and transport authorities continue urging kombi operators, crews, and passengers to prioritise road safety amid rising concerns over reckless commuter transport practices.

Harare kombi accident