Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Caroline Mutsawu in Hwange
POLICE in Hwange, Matabeleland North province are appealing for assistance in identifying the relatives of a man who was fatally struck by a haulage truck belonging to Freightliner Company along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway in November last year.
Matabeleland North provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Glory Banda, confirmed the incident, which occurred at the 335km peg on November 30.
“I can confirm that we recorded an accident in which a pedestrian died after being hit by a truck along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway,” said Inspector Banda.
According to the police, the driver, Tavonga Ticharwa (43), was operating a white Freightliner truck towing a single trailer. He was traveling eastward with no passengers when he pulled into Glow Petroleum garage around 10pm to refuel.
“An hour later, Ticharwa moved his vehicle approximately 15 meters from the garage, parked, and went to sleep. The following morning, at around 6:30 AM, he woke up to find a crowd gathered behind his truck.
“Upon inspection, he discovered the body of the deceased with severe injuries, including a dislodged right leg and multiple fractures on the right hand,” said Insp Banda.
Traffic police and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) conducted investigations and found blood stains on the left wheels of the truck’s trailer, which was parked about 15 meters from the scene.
The body was initially taken to Hwange Colliery Hospital mortuary before being transferred to the United Bulawayo Hospital (UBH) for a post-mortem examination.
“As police, we are appealing to the public to help identify the deceased. He was wearing a blue T-shirt, grey trousers with a brown belt, and black North Star sports shoes with white borders,” said Insp Banda.
The body is currently at Victoria Falls General Hospital, awaiting identification by family members.
Insp Banda said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident are ongoing.
derick.khumalo