Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura-Mutare Bureau
ELEVEN people were killed in two separate accidents in Mutare and the Harare-Nyamapanda Highway between Wednesday night and yesterday morning.
In the Mutare accident, six people perished, four on the spot, including prominent Mutare transport operator Mr Godfrey Chikosi.
Four people died on the spot at Himalaya-Turn Off near 9 Miles along the Mutare-Masvingo Road when Mr Chikosi’s Toyota GD6 veered off the road and rolled several times.
The vehicle had seven people on board when the accident happened around 11pm on Wednesday.
One person survived the accident and was admitted at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, with serious injuries.
When our news crew visited the Chikosi homestead in Rowa Village, along the same road, a sombre atmosphere engulfed as neighbours grappled to come to terms with the tragic loss of Mr Chikosi, whom they described as a good man.
Efforts to get a comment from National Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi were in vain.
However, sources said Chikosi lost control of the vehicle, and it veered off the road and crashed.
“Chikosi sustained serious head injuries, together with Vincent Musepa and two ladies only identified by their first names as Patience and Melissa.
“Three other passengers were seriously injured and rushed to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, where sadly two died on admission. As we speak, one victim is battling for his life,” said the source.
Another well-placed source said Chikosi was driving towards Masvingo, and on approaching the 42km peg, close to Himalaya Turn Off, lost control of the vehicle, which swerved to the left side of the road. The vehicle hit a concrete road sign and overturned several times before landing on its roof.
Meanwhile, condolences continue to pour in with friends and the business community expressing how they worked and interacted with Mr Chikosi.
Yesterday, a private kombi carrying people, bricks and tombstones overturned, killing five people on the spot along the Harare-Nyamapanda Highway.
