Chronicle Editor
Nelias Shiri, Chronicle Reporter
ONE person died on the spot and eight passengers were seriously injured when a commuter omnibus they were travelling in hit a cyclist, veered off the road and rolled once before landing on its right side near Maphisa in Matabeleland South.
Matabeleland South acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Thabani Mkhwananzi confirmed the accident which occurred on Monday at the 113km peg along Bulawayo-Maphisa Road at around 10AM.
He said the vehicle was enroute to Maphisa from Bulawayo with nine passengers on board.
Asst Insp Mkhwananzi identified the deceased as Oliver Ngwenya (35) of Humbana Village in the Bheula area of Mangwe.
He said Ngwenya succumbed to serious head injuries.
Asst Insp Mkhwananzi said Melusi Dube was driving a Nissan Caravan (registration number ABS 2768) with nine passengers on board heading to Maphisa. Upon approaching the 113km peg he hit a cyclist who was travelling in the same lane and going the same direction.
He said Dube was speeding and failed to maintain a gap resulting in him hitting a cyclist.
“I can confirm that I received a fatal road traffic accident report which occurred last Monday at around 10AM along Bulawayo-Maphisa Road involving a Nissan Caravan and a cyclist where one died on the spot, eight passengers sustained severe injuries while the cyclist was seriously injured,” said Asst Insp Mkhwananzi.
He said eight injured passengers were ferried to Maphisa District Hospital where they were treated and discharged.
The cyclist, Adrian Ndlovu (18), of Ndabangulu area in Maphisa, sustained serious head injuries and a fractured left arm. He is still admitted to Maphisa District Hospital and is in critical condition.-@waydenaido.
Online Reporter