The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura : Rusape Correspondent
A PROMINENT Rusape businessman’s drinking and merry making binge with friends ended tragically when he was involved in a horrific accident when his car veered off the road, hit a tree and caught fire last Saturday night.The death of Mr Reginald Kawondera, an affable character who was running Total Service Station franchise has plunged Rusape into deep mourning as relatives and friends are still in a state of shock, disbelief and failing to come to terms with the manner in which he died.
The youthful businessman popularly known as Reggie (35)’s body was almost reduced to ashes as it was consumed by the raging fire which also reduced his silver Audi vehicle into a shell after hitting and uprooting a very big Msasa tree.
Kawondera was driving alone from Mujati Bottle-store located outside the town along Wedza Highway when disaster struck at a sharp curve near St Joseph’s High School.
No one offered Reggie help as he was being consumed by the fire as friends, fellow imbibers and the motoring public who passed through the burning vehicle assumed that the fire was lit by members of apostolic churches who usually worship there during the night.
When one motorist stopped to investigate the cause of the fire, he then discovered it was a car burning and there were no screams from the car suggesting that Reggie had already died. Efforts to put out the fire using fire extinguishers were in vain.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa, confirmed the accident and urged motorist to be highly alert when driving during the night. He said police did not find anything that suggests that Kawondera was drinking and driving.
“Reginald Kawondera was driving a silver Audi, Registration Number ADP 2260 to Rusape along Rusape-Wedza Highway and upon approaching the 5km peg, he failed to negotiate a curve and veered off the road to the left. He travelled for about 100 meters, hit a tree and uprooting it in the process.
“The vehicle overturned and landed on its left side. He was trapped in the vehicle which went to catch fire. He was seriously burnt. All his legs were burnt to ashes. He died on the spot. We continue to warm motorists to exercise extreme caution and due care when driving during the night to avoid the loss of lives,” said Insp Kakohwa.
Kawondera was a humble businessman who remained down to earth despite his growing stature in the town. He was a focused and hardworking man who rose from a mere petrol attendant to a franchise holder. Under his leadership, he was instrumental in turning Total Service Station into a world class structure.
He was also a strong member of the United Methodist Church’s St Stephen’s Circuit where he was leading the construction of the church.
Church members said he was always at the forefront on church issues channeling his resources towards church development and other spiritual issues.
The former now defunct Dongo Football Club vice-chairman is survived by his wife, Noma and three children.
He was buried at his rural home in Mhondoro on Monday afternoon.
