Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi
By Staff Reporter
Two women died while celebrating New Year’s Day in Tafara Mabvuku as chaos took centre stage at a local shopping centre where thousands gathered to celebrate the cross over into the New Year.
Police had to be called to controll traffic and a disorderly crowd after the road leading to Kamunhu business centre was completely blocked by a crowd and haphazardly parked vehicles. The task was however difficult due to poor lighting.
At around 3 am, an informant informed the police about another crowd and three women lying within the vicinity of Kasi Kasi Bar and the main road which links Mabvuku and Tafara.
Police reacted to the call and ferried the three women to Parirenyatwa hospital where two of them were pronounced dead.
Said Assistant Commissioner Nyathi: “The Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating the circumstances in which two women died at Kasi Kasi Bar in Tafara on January 1, 2024, at around 0010 hours while nearly 2000 people were celebrating New Year’s Eve. Initial reports indicate that the road leading to Kamunhu Shopping Centre and Tafara suburb was completely blocked by a crowd and haphazardly parked vehicles.”
“The Police were called in and tried to control the situation with difficulty due to poor lighting. At about 0300 hours, an informant alerted the Police about a crowd and three women lying within the vicinity of Kasi Kasi Bar and the main road that links Mabvuku and Tafara. The three women were taken to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals where two were pronounced dead,” he said.
The police spokesperson urged the public to stop speculating on the cause of death as investigations are still ongoing. He further condemned unruly behaviour exhibited by some motorists and people during the celebrations in Mabvuku, while calling for the liquor outlet operators to ensure that adequate parking and security mechanisms for patrons are in place to accomodate big crowds.
“The Police caution the public and media against rushing into conclusions as investigations unfold. The Police is also awaiting a full post-mortem result on the possible cause of death of the victims.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police condemns the unruly behaviour exhibited by motorists and the general public during the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Mabvuku.
“We call upon liquor outlet operators to put in place measures to ensure there is adequate parking space for patrons to avoid chaos and stampede during the commemoration of major events. More details will be released in due course,” added AssCom Nyathi.
