Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]
POLICE have released the names of two victims who were run over by a Kombi at the illegal 6th Avenue taxi rank on Wednesday night.
The two victims have been identified as Christopher Mukuwapasi and Lizwe Ncube, both male adults in their late 30s.
The driver of the Kombi has also been identified as Simbarashe Chokumanyara aged 28 of Emakhandeni suburb in Bulawayo.
In a statement, Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said Chokumanyara was driving a Toyota Hiace Kombi due west along 6th avenue with 18 passengers on board where he lost control of the vehicle, swerved to the left and hit 14 people who were standing near the road and some were walking near OK Godini.
“As a result of the accident, two people Chistopher Mukuwapasi, a male adult approximately in his late 30s and Lizwe Ncube, a male adult aged approximately 30 years of Cowdray Park, Bulawayo died on the spot and were ferried to United Bulawayo Hospital for post mortem and 12 others sustained various injuries and were ferried to Mpilo for treatment,” said Insp Msebele.
She said the cause of the accident was due to speeding and failure to keep a proper look out by the driver, hence a charge of culpable homicide was preferred against him.
Insp Msebele urged all drivers to be extra careful when driving and to be on the lookout of pedestrians at all times, avoid over speeding and high take-off speeds especially in places with high pedestrian movements and also observe all rules and regulations so as to avoid such accidents.
“Owners of the Public Service Vehicles are urged to employ properly licenced drivers with experience. Passengers are discouraged from boarding from undesignated places but to board at designated pick up points,” said Insp Msebele.
