QHSE Zimbabwe Blog

Expert insights, industry news, and thought leadership in Quality, Health, Safety, and Environmental management. Stay informed with the latest developments in Zimbabwe's QHSSE landscape.

Featured Article July 3, 2025

🚨 Incident Report: Fuel Tanker Fire Near NOIC Depot – June 7, 2025

Port Reading, NJ/US- September 25, 2022: A fuel truck traveling on the New Jersey turnpike southbound flips over and catches fire on the shoulder of the highway.

On June 7, 2025, a fuel tanker caught fire near the NOIC (National Oil Infrastructure Company) depot on Mutare Road, just before the Mabvuku turn-off. The incident occurred as the truck was exiting the depot premises.

Emergency response teams arrived quickly to contain the fire and prevent further escalation — particularly critical due to the presence of large volumes of petrol and diesel stored at the depot. The incident resulted in a complete road closure from around 5:00 PM until 10:00 PM, causing major traffic delays.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and an official investigation is ongoing to determine the cause.

Key Safety Learnings

  • Regular vehicle maintenance for hazardous cargo transport - Comprehensive inspection protocols are essential
  • Emergency response planning and coordination - Quick response prevented escalation
  • Fire safety controls around fuel storage zones - Critical for high-risk areas
  • Traffic management in high-risk industrial areas - Coordinated response protocols

QHSE Zimbabwe continues to emphasize the importance of proactive risk management and strong compliance systems in transport and logistics sectors.

#IncidentReport #FireSafety #TransportRisk

Emergency Response Excellence

"This incident demonstrates the critical importance of coordinated emergency response and preventive maintenance in high-risk transport operations."

- QHSE Zimbabwe Emergency Response Specialist

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Essential QHSSE Topics

  • How to Prepare for ISO Certification

    A comprehensive guide to ISO implementation and certification readiness

  • Creating a Safety-First Culture

    Building effective safety cultures in Zimbabwean workplaces

  • Top 5 Compliance Mistakes

    Common pitfalls and how small businesses can avoid them

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Latest Insights

Stay informed with our latest safety insights, critical incident reports, and expert analysis from across Zimbabwe and the region.

Critical Infrastructure
June 28, 2025

Sally Mugabe Central Hospital Fire

A fire erupted in a rooftop storeroom above critical areas including the ICU and operating theatre. Emergency protocols led to patient evacuation with no injuries reported. The fire was contained within 40 minutes by Harare Fire Brigade.

Reported by: Pindula News, iHarare News
Commercial Safety
May 18, 2025

Magaba Informal Traders' Market Fire

Early morning fire at Magaba market in Mbare destroyed property valued at US$15,000. About 15 traders lost equipment including grinders, fridges, and computers. City of Harare plans to redesign the area with fire prevention systems.

Reported by: allAfrica.com
Power Infrastructure
May 4, 2025

Highfield ZESA Substation Fire

Fire at Highfield ZESA substation caused extensive power outages across southern Harare, affecting residential and industrial areas including Southerton, Workington, and multiple suburbs. ZETDC implemented emergency measures.

Reported by: iHarare News, binduraeye.co.zw, allAfrica.com
State of Disaster
October 2024

Mbare Musika Market Fire

Major fire at Mbare Musika market destroyed goods worth millions of dollars in the vegetable section. President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the incident a state of disaster, highlighting the need for improved safety measures.

Reported by: allAfrica.com

🚒 Emergency Response and Infrastructure Challenges

Analysis of systemic issues revealed by recent incidents across Zimbabwe's emergency response infrastructure

Inadequate Firefighting Resources

Prior to 2023, Harare had only four functional fire engines servicing 46 wards. Government procured 133 firefighting trucks from Belarus, with 23 commissioned in August 2023.

Source: Herald

Non-functional Fire Hydrants

Many fire hydrants in Harare are non-functional, forcing fire trucks to rely on their onboard water supplies, hampering firefighting efforts in densely populated areas.

Source: Reddit

Building Safety Concerns

At least 31% of buildings in Harare's central business district are in a state of disrepair, posing additional risks during emergencies.

Source: Herald

🛡️ Forward-Looking Measures

Strategic initiatives and solutions being implemented to prevent future incidents and enhance emergency response capabilities

Infrastructure Upgrades

City of Harare plans to redesign high-risk areas like Magaba-Siya So to include fire hydrants and other fire prevention systems.

Enhanced Emergency Response

Acquisition of new firefighting equipment aims to improve response times and effectiveness during emergencies.

Public Awareness Campaigns

Educating the public on fire safety and emergency protocols is crucial in preventing and effectively responding to fire incidents.

Need Emergency Response Training?

Learn from these incidents and protect your organization with our comprehensive fire safety and emergency response training programs tailored for Zimbabwe's unique challenges.