Police name 12 victims of mystery Quantum explosion
5-year-old juvenile named among the dead
By Staff Reporter
A 5-year-old juvenile was Friday named by police as one of the 12 passengers who died when a South African registered Toyota Quantum was engulfed in flames following a mystery explosion at the 27km peg along Bulawayo-Beitbridge road in Esigodini Thursday.
In a statement, police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said 12 people in fact died in the disaster, disowning earlier claims that victims were nearly 18 died.
READ FULL STATEMENT BELOW
Reference is made to the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s message posted on X platform regarding a fatal road traffic accident which occurred on 16th April 2026 at around 1245 hours at the 27 kilometre peg along Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road.
The Police has established that 12 people were killed after a Toyota Quantum carrying 11 passengers exploded.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police releases the names of nine of the 12 victims who were positively identified by their next of kin as listed:-
➤ Thabani Moyo (37) a male adult of Old Lobengula, Bulawayo.
➤ Nobuhle Mdiongwa (37) a female adult of Entumbane, Bulawayo.
➤ Oscar Mdlongwa (44), a male adult.
➤ Sicelesile Mabhena, a female adult of Nkulumane 5, Bulawayo.
➤ Sibusiso Mabhena (5) a male juvenile of Nkulumane 5, Bulawayo.
➤ Mhlupeki Limkani Sibanda (36), a male adult of Nkulumane 05, Bulawayo.
➤ Tedious Ncube, a male adult.
➤ Precious Moyo (36), a female adult of Pumula North, Bulawayo.
➤ Promise Brian Gabadela, a male adult.
The bodies of the victims were taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals mortuary for post mortem. The cause of the explosion is yet to be established. More details to be released in due course.
(P. NYATHI) Commissioner
