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Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
TWO Insimbi ZeZhwane band members died in an accident after the vehicle they were travelling in burst a tyre and veered off the road before ramming onto a tree along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway.
Ten other band members were critically injured and are admitted to St Luke’s Hospital in Lupane, Matabeleland North Province. The two who died are Elvis “MaEli” Mathe who was the lead vocalist and was the driver and drummer Thembinkosi Mpofu popularly known as Maviri. Mpofu was a drummer for Godolude and was doubling up for Insimbi ZeZhwane after they relocated to Zimbabwe early this year. The police spokesperson for Matabeleland North Province Inspector Glory Banda confirmed the accident and said: “I can confirm that 12 people were involved in a road traffic accident at the 281-kilometre peg along the Victoria Falls-Bulawayo highway. One person died on the spot. We are yet to get finer details on the accident,” said Insp Banda.
Maviri reportedly died on the spot. MaEli had created a new sound for rhumba, which brought the band fame, making them the most sought-after for live performances in the Matabeleland region.
The band, which was based in South Africa since its formation, relocated to Zimbabwe early this year and was based in Bulawayo. A source who went to St Luke’s Hospital where the band members were rushed to after the accident, confirmed the developments. The source said the other band members were in critical condition.
Sunday News got to the scene near Halfway moments after the accident and saw the wreckage of the horrific accident. Villagers from the surrounding area came through to help remove the trapped. The news crew witnessed the wreckage of a Toyota Hilux with South African number plates and a banner inscribed with the band name crashed into a tree.
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