One Of Zimbabwe’s Youngest Chiefs, Chief Makumbe, Dies At 30 In Road Accident
One of Zimbabwe’s youngest traditional chiefs, Acting Chief Makumbe of Buhera, born Takudzwa Paul Chengeta, has died in a tragic road accident. He was 30.
Chengeta was travelling from Harare to Mutare on Wednesday afternoon when his Toyota Hilux GD6 collided head-on with a Gold Class Express bus along the Harare-Mutare highway. The accident happened at the 86 km peg.
Police Confirm Fatal Crash
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the incident.
“A local chief has died in an accident. We will be releasing more details in due course,” he said.
Chengeta’s body was taken to Marondera Hospital mortuary, while a passenger in his vehicle sustained injuries and was also admitted to the hospital.
Family Mourns A Promising Leader
Buhera District Development Coordinator (DDC) Freeman Mavhiza confirmed the death to The Mirror. The young chief was a final-year Civil Engineering student at the University of Zimbabwe.
His uncle, Tapiwa Chengeta, said the family is still arranging burial details.
“We are waiting for the necessary protocols and leadership guidance to decide on the official burial date, but it will most likely be on Saturday at his rural home in Buhera.”
Tapiwa added that his nephew was not married.
From Student To Chief
Paul Chengeta was the eldest son of the late Chief Makumbe, Shepherd Chengeta, who died in March 2023. He was appointed Acting Chief Makumbe last year, following his father’s passing.
His sudden death has left the community in mourning, with many paying tribute to his leadership and youthful energy.
Parallels With Chief Marupi’s Death
Chief Makumbe’s passing comes months after the death of another young traditional leader, Chief Marupi of Gwanda, who died at 28 under mysterious circumstances. Chief Marupi passed away just weeks after being robbed at his homestead, leading to speculation about foul play.
While Chief Makumbe’s death has been confirmed as a road accident, the loss of two young chiefs in such a short time has left many shaken.
Tim. E. Ndoro
Timothy Ndoro is an enthusiastic storyteller, budding photographer, and aspiring author. By day, he works at iHarare.com where he is able to take his passion for learning and exploring the world around him and share it with the world. His thirst for knowledge and the insatiable need to understand everything has led him to become a polymath, and his goal is to one day be referred to as such. From words to images and video, he loves to capture and document the world around him and share his experiences. He is never without a book in his hand and is always picking up and learning new skills and arts. If you want to connect and hear more about his journey, you can reach him at [email protected].