The Seke road accident kombi driver’s last conversation with his wife has been revealed, breaking a lot of Zimbabwean hearts.
25-year-old kombi driver Rudson Tatenda Sliya shared profound words with his pregnant wife that now carry heartbreaking significance. Just hours before perishing in Tuesday’s devastating Seke Road accident that claimed 17 lives, the young husband expressed concerns about the unpredictable nature of his profession.
Tatenda, the only son in a family of four, had been discussing future plans with his 20-year-old wife, Melissa Bibian Chinyota, on Monday evening. The devoted husband revealed his intention to use his upcoming salary to help launch an income-generating venture for his expectant wife, emphasising the importance of financial security given the uncertainties of his occupation.
The young couple’s aspirations were brutally cut short when an out-of-control truck veered into oncoming traffic, colliding with Tatenda’s commuter omnibus near Hunyani River Bridge.
The impact claimed multiple lives, including the promising young driver who had just begun building his family after marrying Melissa in December 2024.
Friends and colleagues remembered Tatenda as an exceptional figure in his profession – a responsible driver who defied the reckless stereotype often associated with kombi operators. His exemplary conduct stemmed from deep religious convictions as an active member of the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe, where he contributed his musical talents as a keyboardist in the church choir.The grieving widow shared her profound loss:
He was a true servant of God considering the number of church assemblies he had been serving. He used to play a keyboard at church and some assemblies have been hiring him for services. I used to take him when he was young and at a tender age he would assist teams handling the PA system. He would remain behind after church service to be with those people who were packing the instruments.
As the community grapples with this tragedy, Tatenda’s final conversation with his wife stands as a poignant reminder of life’s fragility and the importance of cherishing every moment with loved ones.May God grant everlasting peace to Tatenda’s young wife and to all those who lost their loved ones in the Seke Road tragic incident.
