MIDWEEK REPORTER
CHIMANIMANI-The ZRP has released the names of the five victims who perished in the horrific road traffic accident in Chimanimani District involving an unregistered truck ferrying wood on Tuesday late afternoon along Machongwe Tarka tarred feeder road.
The white Nissan Diesel truck with six passengers on board and being driven by Nomatter Nhetepo (37) killed Beloved Mashava (34) of Manase Village under Chief Ngrima, Constance Makoyani (26) of Chiumba Village under Chief Muusha, Frank Muusha from Muusha Village under Chief Muusha, Christopher Rice (49) from Hangani Village under Chief Chikukwa, and Nobert Magayo (26) of Chikukwa Village under Chief Chikukwa all from Chimanimani District.
The names were released by ZRP national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi who added that the driver and another passenger are still detained at Mutambara Hospital in Chimanimani but in serious condition recuperating from the 26 November accident that happened at around 4:30pm.
Nyathi said the truck which was laden with timber overturned near Machongwe Business Centre when it failed to negotiate a curve and the driver lost control of the vehicle which went on to plunge into a valley before landing on its wheels about 50m from the road.
Three passengers died on the spot and their bodies were taken to Chimanimani Hospital for post mortem while the other two died on admission at Mutambara Hospital.
“The ZRP implores motorists to avoid speeding when travelling, especially when carrying goods and passengers. Above all, it is risk to mix commercial goods and passengers when travelling as some goods are highly flammable or too heavy causing the truck to overturn or swerve,” said Commissioner Nyathi.
Majada Mutambara from Muusha Village said Chimanimani accidents are mainly caused by the roads which are in bad shape, lack of regular and reliable public transport, passengers are often loaded together with timber which is the main trading commodity in the area and the roads are slippery especially during the rainy season.
To bolster his argument Majada added that the Nissan Diesel truck was still at the scene of accident as it is too risk to tow it from the valley because the road is very slippery and steep.
