Fleeing truck driver surrenders

Sunday Mail Reporter

HAULAGE truck driver Pardon Tichaona Sungai, who is alleged to have caused a road traffic accident in which five people died, while several others were injured on Thursday afternoon on the Harare-Mutare Highway, has surrendered himself to the police.

The accident involved his truck, a Tenda bus and a Phils and Pats bus.

Sungai disappeared from the scene soon after allegedly causing the accident at the 32km peg along the Mutare-Harare Highway. Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday said Sungai was now in police custody.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms that the Freightliner truck driver, Pardon Tichaona Sungai (31), surrendered himself to the police on 7th June 2024 for the due process of the law to take its course,” he said.

“Drivers are implored to be responsible on the roads, prioritise the safety of travellers and promote road safety all the time.”

Comm Nyathi said another passenger died in hospital following the accident, increasing the number of deaths from four to five.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reports that one of the 14 injured victims succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, bringing the death toll to five,” he said.

“Two of the five victims were identified by their next of kin as Jerina Nhapi (38), a female adult of Buhera, and Beatrice Chihabvu (38), a female adult of Rusape Hospital.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms that all the victims who died in the road traffic accident have all been identified.”

Kennedy Ngoshi (40) of Zengeza in Chitungwiza, Plaxedes Kasambwa (36) of Nyabadza in Rusape and Monica Katena (54) of Kuwadzana Extension in Kuwadzana also died in the accident.