HARARE – Two women died under mysterious circumstances Monday morning during New Year’s celebrations attended by nearly 2,000 people in Harare’s Tafara suburb just after midnight, police said.
In a statement, police said they were investigating the incident in which “two women died at Kasi Kasi Bar in Tafara on 1 January 2024 at around 0010 hours while nearly 2,000 people were celebrating New Year’s Eve.”
Initial reports, according to police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, “indicate that the road leading to Kamunhu Shopping Centre and Tafara suburb was completely blocked by a crowd and haphazardly parked vehicles.”
Nyathi said police were called in to try to control the situation but experienced difficulties due to poor lighting.
Police were later informed that “three women lying within the vicinity of Kasi Kasi Bar and the main road which links Mabvuku and Tafara”.
“The three women were taken to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals where two were pronounced dead,” Nyathi said.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is conducting full-scale investigations into the incident. The Police caution the public and media against rushing to conclusions as investigations unfold.
“The police is also awaiting a full post-mortem result on the possible cause of death of the victims.”
Nyathi added, “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.”
