The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure: Senior Reporter
A RECKLESS driver was allegedly travelling at nearly twice the speed limit when his Land Cruiser rammed into the back of defective lorry at Buddley (Headlands) – killing him and two other passengers on the spot.
Two female passengers in the Land Cruiser escaped with critical injuries.
The car was described by witnesses as having been travelling at tremendous speed.
The accident occurred around 8pm at the 149km peg along Mutare-Harare Highway.
Manicaland deputy provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Luxson Chananda, confirmed the accident and attributed it to speeding and inattention.
He said the driver, Edmore Edward Sithole, of Number 17364, Whitewell Rd, Borrowdale, Harare, died on the spot.
His friend, Joseph Nyakonda (40), of Number 100 Emerald Hill, Harare and Willard Sithole also died on the spot.
The three died minutes later of head and internal injuries.
Sitholes wife, Hope, sustained a broken left shoulder, while Nyakombas wife Blessing, escaped with a deep cut on the head and fractured legs.
They were coming from Birchenough Bridge where the Sitholes had attended a relatives funeral.
The women, together with the truck driver, Benny Chimera, 50, of Number 2109, ZBS, Rusape, who sustained a broken leg, were rushed to Rusape General Hospital by other motorists.
The women were later transferred to a private hospital in Harare by an ambulance given the extent of the injuries.
Chimera is recuperating at Rusape General Hospital.
The Land Cruiser was travelling at tremendous speed to Harare with five passengers on board and on approaching the 149km peg, it rammed into the back of the DAF truck which was travelling in the same lane as it turned right. The truck had four passengers.
Three passengers in the Land Cruiser, including the driver who was employed by Sakunda Petroleum, died on the spot while two female passengers sustained serious injuries.
The driver of the truck sustained a broken left leg after jumping out of the truck on impact, said Asst Insp Chananda.
The Land Cruiser was extensively damaged, while the truck had the rear axle broken.
The vehicles have since been impounded by Rusape police for inspection by VID.
The cause of the accident was tremendous speed. If the Land Cruiser driver was travelling at safe speed, he could have controlled the vehicle.
Manicaland roads have sharp curves and steep terrains and not ideal for drivers with an appetite for speed, said Asst Insp Chananda.
As if to seal an already black May Day for Rusape – another motorist, barely 11 kilometers from the scene of the Sitholes accident – knocked and killed an elderly pedestrian as he was crossing the Harare-Mutare Road near Rusape tollgate.
The accident occurred at the 160km peg.
Asst Insp Chananda said Solomon Jamitoni (70) of Chimuka Compound, Valahala Farm, Rusape was knocked down by a Nissan truck ABW 1183, being driven by Decent Mugari (42).
He was crossing the road when the car knocked him down. He fell on the tarred road and fractured the left leg.
He also sustained a deep cut on the upper lip and died on admission at Rusape General Hospital. The car was impounded by police and waits inspection by VID, he said.
