News / National
Trial date set for Mvuma Killer Driver
15 May 2017 at 02:34hrs | Views
The trial of Regis Mungwari (29) a driver of Transmech Logistics a South Africa-registered haulage truck, which on 05 April 2017 sideswiped a Johannesburg-bound Proliner bus, killing 21 people on the spot and leaving 40 others injured near Mvuma along the Harare-Masvingo Highway, at Nyamatikiti River near Chaka Business Centre in Chirumanzu has been set for May 18.
The South Africa-bound bus had over 60 passengers on board, while the truck was laden with tyres.
According to the State, preliminary investigations at the accident scene indicated that Mungwari was speeding on a winding road and lost control of his tyre-laden truck on approaching the 218km peg, and encroached the path of the oncoming bus.
The vehicles sideswiped and both burst into flames because of the impact. State Prosecutor said Mungwari acted negligently resulting in the loss of life.
Regis Mungwari of no fixed abode in Zimbabwe is facing 21 counts of culpable homicide and will be tried at Mvuma Magistrates Courts by resident Magistrate Mr Tayengwa Chibanda.
The death toll rose by 10 from the previously announced 21 following DNA tests.
The charge of vehicular manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
Regis Mungwari refused to disclose his contact details and residential address to police. He is lunguishing in custody at Whawha Remand Prison.
Whawha prison is the infamous penitentiary which housed President Robert Mugabe during the Ian Smith regime era. Mugabe spent 10 years at Hwahwa prison from 1964 to 1974.
The South Africa-bound bus had over 60 passengers on board, while the truck was laden with tyres.
According to the State, preliminary investigations at the accident scene indicated that Mungwari was speeding on a winding road and lost control of his tyre-laden truck on approaching the 218km peg, and encroached the path of the oncoming bus.
The vehicles sideswiped and both burst into flames because of the impact. State Prosecutor said Mungwari acted negligently resulting in the loss of life.
The death toll rose by 10 from the previously announced 21 following DNA tests.
The charge of vehicular manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
Regis Mungwari refused to disclose his contact details and residential address to police. He is lunguishing in custody at Whawha Remand Prison.
Whawha prison is the infamous penitentiary which housed President Robert Mugabe during the Ian Smith regime era. Mugabe spent 10 years at Hwahwa prison from 1964 to 1974.
Source - Courts
