Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura
A 44-YEAR-OLD bus driver has appeared in court after allegedly causing a fatal road accident that claimed three lives and left several others injured when his vehicle veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a haulage truck.
Gore Mangondo of Stoneridge Waterfalls suburb in Harare, appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Archie Wochiwunga facing charges of culpable homicide. He was remanded out of custody to Friday.
The prosecutor, Ms Audrey Kufandikanwe said the accident occurred on June 10 at around 6.30 PM, along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road.
Mangondo was driving a Zhong Tong bus heading south with 65 passengers on board. Upon reaching the 20km peg, he allegedly attempted to overtake a Volvo haulage truck, lost control of the bus, and encroached onto the oncoming lane, resulting in a head-on collision with a Mercedes-Benz truck travelling in the opposite direction.
As a result of the collision, three passengers identified as Moderate Sibanda (37), Ndabezinhle Ncube (54) and Mgcini Ndlovu, died on the spot. Several other passengers sustained injuries.
Both vehicles were extensively damaged and subsequently towed to VID Bulawayo for inspection, the court heard.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, a 31-year-old motorcyclist from Bulawayo has been fined US$300 after pleading guilty to negligent driving for knocking down a pedestrian.
Naboth Tatenda Mhlanga of Mbundane suburb, was convicted by the same magistrate, Mr Wochiwunga. He was given until 30 August to pay the fine, or face three months in jail.
The prosecutor Ms Kufandikanwe told the court that the incident occurred on 30 June at around 6 PM near Mbundane. Mhlanga, who was riding a motorbike, struck Ms Lucia Nyambuta, fracturing her left leg.
Nyambuta was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital where she was admitted. A report was made to the police, leading to Mhlanga’s arrest.
