Wenslus Murape
Arron Nyamayaro
THREE people were killed while 31 passengers were injured when a kombi, driven by a police officer, encroached onto oncoming traffic lane and collided head-on with another kombi along Seke Road in Harare yesterday.
Sergeant James Makaranga, 37, stationed at Police Protection Unit and living in Chitungwiza is being charged for Contravening Section 49 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act chapter 9:23 “Culpable Homicide”.
Sgt Makaranga had 15 passengers when his Toyota Hiace collided head on with a Nissan Caravan driven by Tashinga Chihava, 22, with 18 passengers on board.
The two Kombi drivers failed to produce their driver’s licences at 0645hrs when traffic police officers attended the scene.
Two passengers Wayne Chipuriro aged 42 and Pecking Feliati aged 40 died on the spot when Sgt
Makaranga overtook a Mazda Bongo Van turning from St Patrick’s Road into Seke Road, encroached
into the oncoming traffic lane and collided with Tashinga’s Toyota Hiace.
One of the passengers died upon admission at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital.
The vehicles were toured to ZRP Hatfield Traffic for inspection by the Vehicle Examination Department.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza confirmed the accident.
“Police confirms death of three people and injury of 31 passengers in a road traffic accident along Seke Road,”said Insp Chakanza.
“Among the injured, 17 were rushed to Chitungwiza Hospital, 10 at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital and 8 at Parirenyatwa Hospital.
“Investigations are continuing,” said Insp Chakanza. In his statement ahead of the Heroes and Defence Forces Holiday, Commissioner General of Police implored motorists to be exemplary in their driving conduct after the recent rehabilitation and construction of major roads in Harare and other parts of the country.
Online Reporter