A Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) member has been charged with culpable homicide after his Nissan Primera veered off the Harare-Mukumbura road and struck six girls walking along the roadside.
Tragically, five of the girls lost their lives, while one remains in critical condition. All six were from the same extended family and lived at the Bindura Rural District Farm compound.
The accident occurred around 4 PM on Saturday at the 90-kilometre mark along Harare-Mukumbura Road. According to a police memo addressed to the Officer Commanding Bindura Police District, the sixth girl and a passenger in the vehicle were both injured and taken to the hospital for treatment.
The driver, identified as 51-year-old Washington Timburwa from ZNA’s Two Brigade in Cranborne, Harare, was driving his private Nissan Primera with one passenger at the time. The memo reports:
“Upon reaching the 90-kilometre mark, the driver lost control, veered off the road to the left, then swerved to the right, hitting six pedestrians walking along the road. The vehicle overturned several times, landing on its roof five metres from the road.”
Three girls died instantly, while two others passed away after being admitted to Bindura Hospital. The victims were identified as Nokutenda Mabheka (14), Rachel Sinodia (13), and Chipo Chikanda (13), who died at the scene. Misiyose Benjamin (14) and a girl named Makanaka later died in the hospital from their injuries. All the victims suffered severe head injuries.
One survivor, identified as Manhenga, sustained a fractured leg and serious head injuries and is currently hospitalized. The passenger in the vehicle, 22-year-old Nyasha Ngwerume from Shirikadzi Village, Bindura, sustained a head injury but is in stable condition.
Police attribute the accident to speeding, and the vehicle, which sustained severe damage, has been towed to Bindura VID for inspection.
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