EDWIN MOYO
Gokwe-Two minor children died in two separate road traffic accidents involving ox-drawn carts. The two sad events occurred in Gokwe and Mberengwa respectively on the 5th of May, 2023.
Midlands Provincial Police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko has since appealed to the public to cautiously use ox drawn carts in line with the laid down rules.
“We appeal to members of the public to use reigns and lead animals when using ox-drawn carts and also to travel at safe speed,” Mahoko said.
In the first incident which occurred in Gokwe, Samuel Zaranyika was driving an ox drawn cart along an unnamed road in Charusegera Village, Chief Njelele area in Gokwe South with Shingisai Mhike, a female juvenile aged 12 years on board.
The cattle ran amok leading to the cart hitting a tree stump and over-turned once. Shingisai Mhike was hit on the head by the cart board and died on the spot and Samuel Zaranyika escaped unhurt.
The second incident occurred at Village Tito, Chief Negove area in Zvishavane at around 10pm where Isheunesu Hungwe (25) was leading an ox-drawn scotch cart ferrying maize sheaves from the fields to the cattle kraal in the company of his niece Thandolwenkosi Hungwe.
As they were travelling, the oxen suddenly changed direction towards Thandolwenkosi Hungwe who was hit by the corner of the scotch cart on the back of the head.
Thandolwenkosi sustained a deep cut on the head and she was rushed to Rutendo Poly-Clinic, Zvishavane where she died upon admission.
