Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
The trial of the truck driver accused of causing the horrific Seke Road accident that killed 17 people on July 22 commenced on Thursday at the Chitungwiza Magistrates Court, with the State leading three witnesses.
Desire Madiviko (56), who works as a truck driver for Silimus Cold Chain Company in Chitungwiza, is facing culpable homicide charges.
He pleaded not guilty through his lawyer Mr Raymond Kadani of Atherstone and Cook Legal Practitioners.
For the State, prosecutor Ms Pamela Dzinduwa, led evidence from three witnesses, who are the investigating officer, Seargant Murima, Constable Mudavanhu, and an eyewitness, Givemore Musimwa, who all gave accounts of what they know about the accident.
The trial will continue on November 20 with more witnesses expected to testify. According to the State, the accident occurred at around 10 am when Madiviko, who is a holder of a valid Zimbabwean driver’s licence for classes 2, 4, and 5 was driving a South African-registered Nissan UD Coroner truck (horse registration number KH28RW GP), towing a South African-registered box-body trailer (registration number KC05FB GP) along Seke Road, heading north towards Harare CBD.
Madiviko, who had one passenger on board, allegedly lost control of the truck shortly after passing the St Mary’s junction.
The left wheels of the truck veered onto the dirt shoulder of the road while the right wheels remained on the tarmac.
Madiviko reportedly attempted to correct the vehicle’s course by moving to the inner lane but lost control again.
The truck swerved to the right, climbed the road island, and struck two pedestrians walking along it. Both pedestrians died instantly.
The truck then crossed into the opposite lane, heading towards Chitungwiza, where it collided with an oncoming Nissan Caravan commuter omnibus (registration number ACZ 6937) driven by Tatenda Silia, carrying 17 passengers.
Following the collision, the truck overturned and landed on its left side, crushing the commuter omnibus beyond recognition.
Fifteen people in the commuter omnibus, including the driver, were killed instantly. Three other passengers in the commuter omnibus, along with Madiviko and his passenger in the truck, sustained serious injuries.
The accident left both vehicles extensively damaged, with the commuter omnibus beyond repair.
The State alleges that Madiviko’s negligence behind the wheel led to the loss of life and property.
