By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Harare – In a move sparking debate, the Harare Magistrates’ Court has fined three individuals who were conducting a crash scene investigation at Manyame Bridge where 17 people had tragically died for allegedly obstructing traffic.
The three, Cooper Diniel (33), Pretorius Walter James Seymour (51), and Germishuzen Danivca (23), were each slapped with a USD $200 fine, with no option of time to pay, and face four months in jail if they fail to settle immediately.
On 20 August 2025, the trio including two South African crash-data forensic experts returned to the scene of one of Zimbabwe’s deadliest recent accidents.
Their aim was to reconstruct what happened, using paint markings and tape measures. But instead of being applauded for seeking the truth, they found themselves in handcuffs after traffic along Seke Road was briefly disrupted.
Critics argue that the heavy-handed response reflects misplaced priorities, as authorities appear more concerned with traffic flow than with uncovering causes of fatal crashes. Supporters of the ruling, however, insist that no investigation should proceed without coordination with police, warning that “good intentions cannot come at the cost of public safety.”
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) defended the conviction, saying:
“No individual or organization is allowed to disrupt public order and endanger road users without coordinating with law enforcement. Procedures must always be followed to protect lives and maintain order.”
But questions linger: Should forensic experts trying to prevent future deaths be punished like common offenders? Or was the state right to draw a hard line against what it views as disorderly conduct?
The case underscores the delicate balance between pursuing accountability for tragic crashes and maintaining rigid public order a balance that, in this instance, some believe tipped in the wrong direction.