Chronicle Editor
Sinokubonga Nkala, [email protected]
A 62-year-old Tongaat Hulett employee has been sentenced to two years in prison after his overtaking attempt on the Ngundu-Tanganda road resulted in a fatal crash, killing one passenger and injuring the driver and others.
The Zimbabwe Road Traffic Act obligates drivers to drive at a safe speed, obey traffic signs, maintain proper control of the vehicle, and exercise caution when overtaking.
On 4 August 2024, John Manyere was behind the wheel of a white Toyota Land Cruiser, heading east on the Ngundu-Tanganda road with five passengers.
As he approached the 84km marker, Manyere attempted to overtake a large haulage truck but lost control of the vehicle, veering sharply into the right lane.
In a statement on X, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said: “The vehicle veered off the road and plunged into a water canal.”
A passenger was tragically washed away in the crash, and her body was later recovered at Siphon 14, near Buffalo Range.
“The driver and the rest of the passengers sustained injuries,” said the NPAZ.
The driver was found to be negligent in several key areas, including excessive speeding, failing to take evasive action when the accident became imminent, ignoring a warning traffic sign, losing control of the vehicle, and failing to exercise caution while overtaking—all of which contributed to the tragic crash.
Manyere’s driving privileges were revoked for two years.
Online Reporter