Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
THE trial of a truck driver accused of causing the horrific Chitungwiza accident that claimed 17 lives on July 22, is set to begin today at Chitungwiza Magistrates Court.
Desire Madiviko (56), employed by Silimus Cold Chain Company in Chitungwiza, is facing culpable homicide charges.
Madiviko, who is represented by his lawyer Mr Raymond Kadani, is a holder of a valid Zimbabwean driver’s licence for classes 2, 4 and 5.
According to the State, the accident occurred at around 10am when Madiviko was driving a South African-registered Nissan UD Coroner truck (horse registration number KH28RW GP) towing a South African-registered box-body trailer (registration number KC05FB GP) along Seke Road, heading north towards Harare CBD.
The truck, with one passenger on board, allegedly lost control shortly after passing the St Mary’s junction.
The left wheels of the truck veered onto the dirt shoulder while the right wheels remained on the tarmac.
Madiviko reportedly attempted to correct the vehicle’s course by moving to the inner lane but lost control again.
The truck swerved to the right, mounted the road island, and struck two pedestrians walking along it. Both pedestrians died instantly.
The truck then crossed into the opposite lane, heading towards Chitungwiza, where it collided with an oncoming Nissan Caravan commuter omnibus (registration number ACZ 6937) driven by Tatenda Silia, carrying 17 passengers.
Following the collision, the truck overturned and landed on its left side, crushing the commuter omnibus beyond recognition.
Fifteen people in the commuter omnibus, including the driver, were killed instantly.
Three other passengers in the commuter omnibus, along with Madiviko and his passenger in the truck, sustained serious injuries.
The accident left both vehicles extensively damaged, with the commuter omnibus declared beyond repair.
The State alleges that Madiviko’s negligence behind the wheel led to the devastating loss of life and property.
