Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Mutare Bureau
A ONE-YEAR-OLD toddler was run over by a neighbour’s vehicle after crawling underneath it while the driver was unaware in Mutare’s Hobhouse suburb.
Acting Manicaland police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Chinyoka confirmed the tragic incident, saying police have since opened a culpable homicide case against the driver, as investigations continue.
“I can confirm a fatal road traffic accident which occurred on March 2, in Hobhouse suburb, Mutare, where a one-year-four-month-old toddler died after being run over by a vehicle,” said Ass Insp Chinyoka.
The deceased has been identified as Munashe Maveneka (1), who stayed in the same neighbourhood as the driver involved in the incident.
“The driver, Simon Tatira (25), of Hobhouse suburb, was driving a Honda Fit along an unnamed road in the suburb with no passengers on board.
“He had stopped his vehicle by the roadside for about five minutes while speaking to a friend. At that moment, the toddler crawled from her place of residence following her mother who had gone to a neighbour’s house and ended up underneath the parked vehicle without the driver’s knowledge,” he said.
Ass Insp Chinyoka said Tatira later drove off from the spot, unaware that the child was beneath the vehicle.
“As he moved the vehicle, the left rear wheel ran over the toddler.
“The driver immediately stopped after realising that he had run over something,” said Ass Insp Chinyoka.
He said Tatira found the child lying motionless on the ground.
The matter was immediately reported to the police and officers from Mutare Traffic attended the scene.
The toddler was rushed to St Joseph’s Mission Hospital where she was pronounced dead upon arrival. Police said the vehicle involved in the accident was later taken to the Vehicle Examination Department in Mutare for inspection as part of the ongoing investigations.
Tatira is expected to face culpable homicide charges in connection with the incident.
Ass Insp Chinyoka urged motorists to exercise extreme caution in residential areas where children may be playing or moving around unnoticed.
“We urge motorists to always check around their vehicles before driving off, especially in residential areas where children are present.
“Small children can easily move around unnoticed and such tragic incidents can occur,” he said.
He also urged parents and guardians to ensure that toddlers are closely supervised at all times.
“Parents and guardians should make sure that young children are not left unattended near roads or parked vehicles as this can easily result in fatal accidents,” said Ass Insp Chinyoka.
Londile Moyo