A fatal road accident on the Harare-Masvingo Highway near Featherstone has become the center of social media controversy, drawing sharp criticism from businessman Wicknell Chivayo. The collision, which occurred on Saturday night around 8 pm, involved a luxury Toyota Land Cruiser 300 ZX and a cattle-drawn scotch cart.
The vehicle, originally gifted by Chivayo to the late Apostle Paul Mwazha for his 107th birthday in October 2025, is currently owned by Mwazha’s son, Ngoni. Reports confirm that the driver of the scotch cart died instantly at the scene. The Land Cruiser’s driver sustained serious injuries, while Ngoni Mwazha was a passenger in the damaged vehicle. Initial investigations suggest the crash happened as the Land Cruiser attempted to overtake another vehicle when it collided head-on with the cart.
Chivayo took to social media on Sunday to denounce what he described as “celebrations” by critics who he claims used the tragedy to spread negative narratives. He referred to these individuals as “prophets of doom,” expressing frustration that one accident was overshadowing his extensive charitable work, which includes donating well over US$100 million and 3,000 vehicles. Chivayo emphasized that his actions are driven by faith and that he continues to support the House of the Lord despite public scrutiny.
While the crash dominates social discourse, the legal community in Masvingo is grappling with a significant institutional challenge. The High Court in Masvingo is currently facing a severe backlog of appeal cases due to a shortage of judges. For the past three weeks, no appeals have been heard because the court is operating with only one judge, Justice Christopher Dube-Banda, following the transfer of Justice Sunsley Zisengwe to Mutare.
Zimbabwean law requires a panel of two judges to hear appeal cases, making it impossible for Justice Dube-Banda to process them alone. This staffing crisis, exacerbated by the delayed deployment of newly appointed Justice Justin Uladi, has forced litigants to seek relief in the High Courts of Harare and Bulawayo, incurring additional legal costs. Lawyers have described the situation as untenable, warning that “justice delayed is justice denied.”
In other regional security news, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have arrested three men following a foiled attempt to steal a ZESA transformer and armoured cable at the Matias Business Centre in Buhera. The suspects were caught on a Harare-bound bus near Murambinda Business Centre after abandoning their getaway vehicle, a Toyota Toyoace, following community intervention. ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests and stated that one accomplice remains at large.
These developments highlight a mix of social tension, institutional strain, and ongoing security efforts across Zimbabwe. As the Chivayo controversy continues to unfold online, the judicial backlog in Masvingo poses a critical challenge to the rule of law, requiring immediate attention from the Judicial Service Commission.
