Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that a woman died after a crash on the M62 eastbound between junctions 21 and 22 near Saddleworth on the evening of Saturday, July 11. The incident involved a grey Nissan Juke and a grey BMW X5. Police believe the Nissan was travelling in the wrong direction before the head-on collision.
The driver of the Nissan, later identified as Sithandazile Sipepa, also known as Sithandazile Nkomo or Sitha, suffered serious injuries and died at the scene. GMP formally named her as Sithandazile Nkomo. The stretch of motorway remained closed overnight and into the following morning for investigation.
Tributes from the Community
Ms Sipepa was the founder of the Sipepa Trust, a charity active in both Zimbabwe and the UK, organising numerous events in Manchester. Zimbabwean journalist and commentator Ezra Tshisa paid tribute on Facebook, calling her a 'beloved philanthropist, community champion and dear friend'.
He said: 'For me, this is more than just another news story. Sitha was my friend for decades, ever since we both arrived in the United Kingdom. She was like a sister to me. Through the Sipepa Trust, she cared for countless widows, orphans and vulnerable families in Zimbabwe. Her generosity knew no boundaries, and her compassion transformed many lives.'
Tshisa added: 'Sitha was a hardworking Zimbabwean woman whose life was dedicated to serving others. She was widely admired for her philanthropic work in both the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe. She was far more than a community leader. She passionately promoted Zimbabwean culture throughout the UK diaspora, ensuring younger generations remained connected to their roots and identity. Her death has devastated her family and the void she leaves behind cannot easily be filled. Her legacy, however, will continue to live on through the many lives she touched.'
Police Investigation and Appeal
GMP's Serious Collision Unit is investigating the crash and appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage from the area leading up to the incident to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741 quoting log 4349 of 11/07/2026, or use the 'report tool' or LiveChat function on the GMP website. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
