Mberengwa 19-Year-Old Man Decapitated By Goods Train

Mberengwa - Zimbabwe Republic Police on Monday confirmed the death of a 19-year-old man who was decapitated by a goods train in Mberengwa during the early hours of March 5.

The victim, identified as Author Nkiwani of Chatira Village under Chief Mataruse, was reportedly lying across the tracks when the locomotive approached the 86-kilometer peg between the Poland area and Ngezi.

The incident occurred at approximately 02:45 a.m. as the train, operated by 41-year-old Donald Tachiona, was traveling from Rutenga toward Somabhula.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, said the train operator attempted to alert the teenager before the fatal impact.

"He saw the now deceased Author Nkiwani lying by his stomach across the railway line at a short distance. He sounded the locomotive horn to alert him but Nkiwani did not respond," Inspector Mahoko said.

Despite the warning signals, the heavy goods train was unable to stop in time.

The impact resulted in catastrophic injuries, with authorities reporting that the victim's head and legs were severed during the accident.

Police have since used the tragedy to issue a stern warning to the public regarding the dangers of loitering near railway infrastructure and the broader issue of mental health.

"We are appealing to members of the public to avoid sitting or lying in railway lines," Inspector Mahoko said.

While the exact circumstances leading to Nkiwani being on the tracks remain under investigation, authorities emphasized that professional support should be sought for personal distress rather than resorting to dangerous actions on the tracks like suicide.

"Committing suicide should never be taken as a way of solving problems," Inspector Mahoko said.