Online Reporter
B-Metro Reporter
A NIGHT of reckless joyriding turned deadly when a Toyota Hilux driven without the owner’s permission ploughed into a motorcyclist along Luveve Road, killing him instantly before the driver and his friends fled the scene like cowards.
The horror crash happened near Marondera Clinic in Nguboyenja, Bulawayo, in the early hours of Saturday and claimed the life of 43-year-old Zimpapers staffer Silas Bhunu of Mzilikazi suburb.
According to a police statement, the joyride began the previous afternoon when 20-year-old Melusi Nkomo of Nketa 8 and his accomplice, 19-year-old Shelton Dube of Nkulumane 12, teamed up with a security guard at a local garage to “borrow” a white Toyota Hilux GD6 without the owner’s knowledge.
Still on their high from the unauthorised outing, Melusi with eight passengers crammed into the vehicle lost control around 3.30AM on August 3 while speeding west along Luveve Road. He veered into the oncoming lane and slammed into Bhunu’s motorcycle.
The impact flung Bhunu to his death on the tarmac. But instead of calling for help, Melusi and four passengers bolted, leaving behind their bleeding friends, a wrecked Hilux and the lifeless biker.
“The driver encroached into an oncoming lane and hit a motorcyclist resulting in him losing control and crashing into an electricity pole,” said Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele.
“Melusi Nkomo and four of his friends ran away from the accident scene leaving the Toyota Hilux GD6 with other four passengers still on board and the now deceased body lying lifelessly on the tarmac.”
The police later tracked down and arrested the suspects. Charges of culpable homicide, driving without a licence, failing to stop and render assistance and unauthorised use of a motor vehicle are now being levelled against Melusi and Shelton.
The police issued a stern warning to rogue drivers and garage owners: “We urge all motorists to obey the rules and regulations of the road. Be human enough and avoid running away after an accident. Garage owners must also properly vet their employees before hiring them to avoid such incidents.”
Bhunu’s body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospital for postmortem. Both the Hilux and the motorbike were extensively damaged.
