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Crime Reporter
Police have arrested the Beta bus driver, who reportedly fled the fatal road accident scene where five people were killed when the bus burst into flames after colliding with a fuel tanker about 20km before Mutare along the Harare-Mutare highway.
Philip Tawanda Chirindo (34) is facing culpable homicide charges and is expected to appear in court soon.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest.
“The ZRP confirms the arrest of Philip Tawanda Chirindo aged 34, the driver of a Beta Bus who escaped after a fatal road traffic accident involving a Freightliner fuel tanker and a Yutong bus which occurred on December 24, 2021 at the 242km peg along Harare- Mutare Road.
“The suspect who is being charged for Contravening Section 49 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 as read with Section 64 (3) of the Road Traffic Act Chapter 11: 13 ‘Culpable Homicide’, surrendered himself to the Police on December 29, 2021 and will appear in court soon,” he said.
The bus, which was on its way from Harare, encroached into the opposite lane resulting in the head-on collision with the tanker that was heading towards Harare.
“There were reports that the bus driver had tried to avoid a drunken person who was along the road, thereby encroaching into the opposite lane, but we are still conducting investigations”.
Meanwhile, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona visited both the accident victims and the accident scene on Thursday.
“I visited the accident scene where a Beta bus was involved in an accident with a haulage truck near Christmas Pass in Mutare.
“I implored drivers to observe and obey traffic rules and regulations to save life, especially during this festive season.
“I also visited some of the accident victims who are still admitted at Victoria Chitepo General Hospital (formerly Mutare General Hospital) and wished them a quick recovery,” he said.
President Mnangagwa recently paid condolences to the families of the people who died in the accident and prayed for a quick recovery to those who were hospitalised.
The President also paid tribute to Mr Sirizani Butau who was burnt while trying to rescue people who were trapped in the wreckage.
He cautioned motorists not to get carried away by the gradually improving road network in the country being spearheaded by the Second Republic under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme.
Online Reporter