News / Local
Man steals a car, crashes it, dies on the spot
08 Sep 2014 at 07:14hrs | Views
AN unlicensed driver from Bulawayo allegedly stole a vehicle from a man he lives with in a bid to ferry four relatives but crashed and died on the spot after he lost control of the car yesterday morning.
Mbulisi Gumede, 23, of Pelandaba suburb, took the keys to a Toyota Raum from taxi driver, Pride Lusinga's dressing table while he was asleep with the intention of taking his relatives to Nkulumane.
When the Chronicle news crew arrived at the scene, Lusinga, and the owner of the taxi, Martin Mutungamira, expressed shock and disbelief at the turn of events.
"I called Pride on his cellphone at around 9AM so that he could bring the car for servicing and he told me he was still asleep.
"Just as we finished our conversation, I got an anonymous phone call saying my taxi had just been involved in an accident," said Mutungamira.
Witnesses told Chronicle that Gumede, who was speeding, lost control of the vehicle and veered off the road.
They added that he tried to open the door to escape but the car fell on its side into a ditch, crushing him in the process.
"When I knocked off from work at about 4AM I threw the keys onto my dressing table as I always do and retired to bed.
"When my boss told me the car had been involved in an accident I thought I was having a bad dream but was surprised to see that Mbulisi had disappeared with the car.
"No one in the yard heard him leaving," said Lusinga.
Gumede's grandmother, mother and aunt were rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital after suffering minor injuries.
This incident comes exactly two weeks after an accident occurred in Romney Park where Peter Mutungwazi died after he allegedly stole his friend's taxi at a wedding after-party and crashed into a tree along Airport Road.
Mbulisi Gumede, 23, of Pelandaba suburb, took the keys to a Toyota Raum from taxi driver, Pride Lusinga's dressing table while he was asleep with the intention of taking his relatives to Nkulumane.
When the Chronicle news crew arrived at the scene, Lusinga, and the owner of the taxi, Martin Mutungamira, expressed shock and disbelief at the turn of events.
"I called Pride on his cellphone at around 9AM so that he could bring the car for servicing and he told me he was still asleep.
"Just as we finished our conversation, I got an anonymous phone call saying my taxi had just been involved in an accident," said Mutungamira.
Witnesses told Chronicle that Gumede, who was speeding, lost control of the vehicle and veered off the road.
"When I knocked off from work at about 4AM I threw the keys onto my dressing table as I always do and retired to bed.
"When my boss told me the car had been involved in an accident I thought I was having a bad dream but was surprised to see that Mbulisi had disappeared with the car.
"No one in the yard heard him leaving," said Lusinga.
Gumede's grandmother, mother and aunt were rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital after suffering minor injuries.
This incident comes exactly two weeks after an accident occurred in Romney Park where Peter Mutungwazi died after he allegedly stole his friend's taxi at a wedding after-party and crashed into a tree along Airport Road.
Source - chronicle
