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Fungai Lupande
Mashonaland Central Bureau
Five girls aged between 10 and 14, all from the same family at the Bindura Rural District Council compound, died after being hit by a vehicle that veered off the road on the outskirts of Bindura along the Harare-Mukumbura Road on Saturday.
Two other people, a pedestrian and a passenger in the vehicle that veered off the road, sustained fractures and head injuries.
They are in a serious condition at Bindura Hospital.
The accident occurred when the girls were walking from the Bindura RDC compound located just after Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE).
The driver, Washington Timburwa (51), lost control of his Nissan Primera at the 90km peg along the Harare-Mukumbura Road at around 4pm on the fateful day.
Three of the girls died on the spot while two others died after being admitted to Bindura Hospital.
The girls suffered serious head injuries.
The Bindura District Development Coordinator’s (DDC) office expressed deep sadness at the loss of young lives from the same homestead.
Principal administration officer in the office of Bindura DDC, Ms Lidya Hlabati, said the provincial Civil Protection Unit has written to the Government appealing for State-assisted funerals for the victims.
The provincial CPU visited those admitted to Bindura Hospital to assess their condition and wish them a speedy recovery.
The Nissan Primera, registration number ADQ1676, was extensively damaged but Timburwa, escaped without any visible injuries.
It was suggested that Timburwa failed to maintain proper control of the vehicle, causing it to swerve, veer off the road, hit the girls, overturn several times, and land on its roof about five metres from the road.
The vehicle was impounded and towed to Bindura’s Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) depot.
Timburwa is now facing culpable homicide charges.
The scene was attended by traffic police from Bindura and the relatives of the victims were informed.
The girls who died are Nokutenda Mabheka (14), Rachel Sinodia Saidi (13), Chipo Chikanda (13), Misiyose Benjamin (14), and Makanaka (age and surname not given).
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter