Honda Fit ploughs into 11 people, killing one

Chronicle Reporters

A tragic incident occurred yesterday morning in Bulawayo’s Nketa suburb, where a Honda Fit driver lost control of his vehicle and ploughed into 11 members of the Johanne Masowe Church. 

The church members were returning from night prayers near Chicken Corner leisure outlet, between Nketa Drive and Siyephambili Drive. 

One of the victims died on the spot, trapped underneath the vehicle, and had to be extricated by the Bulawayo Fire Brigade. Upon arrival, the Fire Brigade found 11 people lying on the ground, some with fractures, spine injuries, and lacerations.

“A Honda Fit was found in a ditch with one person trapped underneath, who was suspected to be dead on arrival. The Brigade extricated the trapped victim and conveyed the injured individuals to Mpilo Hospital,” said Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mr Mhlangano Moyo. 

“The information we gathered is that the Honda Fit driver lost control and ploughed into a group of Johanne Masowe Church members returning from night prayers. The deceased was handed over to ZRP details. The vehicle and the roadway were rendered safe by the Brigade,” said Mr Moyo.

In a separate incident, a Honda Fit driver, identified as Mr Mtshumayeli Mpande (44), was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital after being found with a deep cut on his head.

He was discovered by fuel service station attendants bleeding profusely in his vehicle at around 9PM on Tuesday last week.

Police are investigating the incident and have called on members of the public to assist in locating Mr Mpande’s next of kin.

Bulawayo provincial police acting spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, said: “An informant called Western Commonage Police Station and reported that there was someone who came driving a Honda Fit vehicle and abruptly parked at the garage without mentioning anything,” she said.

“The informant then inspected the vehicle and discovered that the driver had a cut on the head and was bleeding,” said Asst Insp Msebele.

“ZRP Western Commonage attended the scene and police officers found one male adult who was seated in a navy blue Honda Fit. The man had a deep cut on his head and could not speak. His clothes were soaked in blood,” she said.

CID homicide detectives were called to the scene. “Preliminary investigations show that the individual was injured while he was not in the vehicle. The weapon used is not known,” said Asst Insp Msebele.