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Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Reporter
A BULAWAYO man who was injured after he was knocked down by an Inter-Africa bus while cycling to work, is suing the company and its unlicensed driver for $67 000 in damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering.
The accident occurred on August 22 in 2015 after the driver of the bus allegedly failed to give way to the cyclist at an intersection between Herbert Chitepo Street and 4th Avenue.
Mr Amina Sibanda (28) of Entumbane suburb was knocked down by the bus which was being driven by Emmanuel Nhidza.
Mr Sibanda, who is a self actor, filed summons at the Bulawayo High Court citing Inter-Africa Bus Company and its driver, Nhidza, as defendants.
Nhidza allegedly did not have a valid driver’s licence at the time of the accident.
Mr Sibanda is seeking an order compelling the bus company to pay him $67 000 as compensation for the injuries he sustained and the medical expenses he incurred as a result of the accident.
“On October 22 in 2015, the first defendant (Nhidza) while driving the second defendant’s (Inter-Africa) bus along Herbert Chitepo Street into 4th Avenue did not stop at the intersection and hit me. I sustained serious injuries as a result,” he said.
Mr Sibanda accuses Nhidza of negligence, alleging that he failed to keep a proper look out resulting in the accident.
“The first defendant failed to observe a Give Way sign and he also did not have a valid driver’s licence,” he said.
According to papers before the court, Nhidza was arrested and taken to court on charges of negligent driving and driving without a valid driver’s licence. He however, absconded in the middle of the trial.
Mr Sibanda said the defendants are refusing to pay the damages including their insurance companies.
He said the insurance companies refused to pay the damages, arguing that the defendants were solely responsible since they did not follow the traffic rules by allowing Nhidza to drive the bus without a driver’s licence.
Mr Sibanda said he wanted the first and second defendants to pay $67 000 compensation with interest at a prescribed rate calculated from August 22 to the date of full and final payment.
The defendants are yet to respond to the summons.
— @mashnets
Online Reporter