HARARE – New details have emerged in the hit‑and‑run accident that killed a teenage girl on Seke Road earlier this month, in a hit-and-run incident linked to the entourage of flamboyant preacher Passion Java. The victim’s family says they have been traumatised not only by the loss of their daughter but by what they describe as a lack of compassion, accountability and justice in the days following the tragedy.
At around 12:08 PM on Tuesday, 5 July 2022, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed that a vehicle believed to be part of a convoy belonging to Passion Java was involved in a hit-and-run fatal accident near a Zuva Service Station on Seke Road, Chitungwiza. The pedestrian, later identified as 17‑year‑old Joyce Tandi, died instantly after being struck by the speeding car.
Eyewitnesses at the scene and social media accounts suggested that the vehicle was travelling at high speed, with some estimates putting it around 140–160 km/h in a zone where the limit is 60 km/h.
Pictures from the scene shared online by Zimbabwean personality Wellence Mujuru drew immediate criticism, with commenters saying vehicles in the preacher’s entourage often move “like state motorcades.”
CCTV Footage Spills More Light
Investigators later reviewed CCTV footage showing the moments leading up to the collision. According to sources close to the probe, the video shows Joyce attempting to retreat halfway across the busy road after realising she could not safely cross, only to be struck by a vehicle that did not stop immediately. She was thrown roughly 30 metres by the impact.
A traffic expert, when shown the footage by The Standard, indicated that the vehicle was clearly travelling well above the speed limit, reinforcing concerns over reckless driving.
Family Speaks Out – Pain, Confusion & Disbelief
In a dramatic and emotional interview, Tangai Tandi (57), Joyce’s father, recounted how his daughter’s mother spent the entire day searching for her after she left for a visit to relatives. It was only around 1 PM the following day that the family was informed she had died at the Chitungwiza General Hospital mortuary. Tandi told reporters through tears:
“After my daughter was hit, the driver did not stop immediately. He later returned after a minute and came with another car accompanying them. I feel Gwashira is just a sacrificial lamb, Passion was driving that car,”
Tandi, who works in Zambia, said identifying his daughter’s body was “the worst day of my life.” He denied social media rumours that Joyce was pregnant at the time of the crash, saying both family testimony and the post‑mortem confirmed she was not expecting. He said:
“After my daughter was hit, the driver did not stop immediately. He later returned after a minute and he came with another car accompanying them. I feel Gwashira is just a sacrificial lamb, Passion was driving that car.
… I do not stay here in Zimbabwe, I work in Zambia. Her mother searched for her the whole day.
The following day, that is when she was advised to visit the Chitungwiza General Hospital mortuary, imagine the trauma of identifying your daughter’s lifeless body. She is still in pain.”
Tandi dismissed social media rumours that Joyce was pregnant. He said:
There were two accidents on the day in question. A different car hit a pregnant woman who also died just a few metres from the spot where my daughter was hit.
She was God-fearing and a devout Christian even the post-mortem confirmed that she was not pregnant.”
Driver Arrested, Preacher Responds
Police arrested Courage Gwashira (32), the driver of the vehicle allegedly involved. The Zimbabwe Republic Police announced that he was being questioned as part of ongoing investigations.
Passion Java later issued a public statement distancing himself from the accident, saying he was not at the scene:
“It is with much sadness recalling the Seke Road accident. The woman deceased could be my sister, wife or my mother… Although I wasn’t there at the scene… the driver works for me and is acutely traumatised… Death is no joke… I extend my plea to sympathise with her family…”
He also offered to support any children Joyce may have had with scholarships, urging the public to show respect and avoid insensitive commentary.
Allegations Of Negligence And Lack Of Support
The family, however, hit back, saying neither Java nor his team offered to pay for funeral expenses, nor came to offer condolences in person. Tandi said the only time he saw the driver was at a police station, where Gwashira allegedly pledged to offer 10 cows as compensation, an offer the family said was never honoured. Tandi said:
“They did not even come here to pay condolences.”
Public Backlash Spills Online
The hit-and-run accident sparked a wave of criticism across social media. Many commentators accused Passion Java of focusing more on protecting his reputation than publicly expressing sympathy for the family. Some users highlighted the speed of the vehicle and the behaviour of convoy drivers, while others called for accountability regardless of the preacher’s status.
In one reaction, socialite Roland Muchengwa, known locally as “Uncle Roland”, posted that some vehicles associated with Java could be repossessed, fuelling public debate over ownership and responsibility.
Questions Over Justice And Accountability
The Tandi family expressed frustration with Zimbabwe’s justice system, saying they feel that wealth and influence could affect the outcome of any legal case. Tandi said he would push for “closure,” but added:
“I know Passion is rich and he can easily influence the outcome of a court case. If the state wants to press charges, let it be.”
As of 17 July 2022, police had not announced a public court date or charges against Gwashira, leaving many Zimbabweans to question whether the case will result in meaningful accountability.
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