News / National
Accident victims named
11 Feb 2014 at 06:12hrs | Views
Death is a thief, but rarely does it wipe out a whole family as it did the Usaiwataka family in a road accident along the Harare-Chirundu Road on Sunday afternoon.
Lost dreams, lost potential and sore wounds for the remaining relatives aptly sums up the tragedy that claimed the lives of five family members.
David Usaiwataka (40), his wife Edna (30) and children Nathaniel (10), Mishkan (4) and Anodiwanashe (1) all died in a head-on collision with an oncoming vehicle as they were on their way from church in Chinhoyi.
Originally from Chinhoyi, the family moved to Muriel Mine in Mutorashanga where Mr Usaiwataka worked as a fitter and turner at Ashyre Mine.
On the fateful day, the family drove to Chinhoyi for a church service at Glad Tidings Church and after visiting the family home, they left for Mutorashanga.
Their Honda Ballade collided head-on with a VW Vivo that was being driven by Washington Mabika (27) near the 80km peg.
According to witnesses, Mabika - who was reportedly speeding - failed to negotiate a curve and encroached into the lane of the oncoming vehicle.
On impact four people died on the spot while another died on arrival at Banket District Hospital and two others from the VW Vivo sustained serious injuries and were taken to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.
Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara said police suspect speeding as the cause of the accident.
Sister to the deceased David, Mrs Hazvinei Makanjera said death had robbed the family of a quiet, loving and understanding brother.
"It's a tragedy that we are still trying to get to grips with because it has taken a whole family," she said.
Pastor Persuade Nhema of Glad Tidings Church in Chinhoyi said he had earlier talked to Usaiwataka about his plans.
"He was scheduled to go to church today (yesterday) and proceed to Kwekwe Polytechnic to further his education in machining under the auspices of NUST," he said.
He said the children were still young and a whole chapter had been closed and with it a future of unfulfilled promises.
Burial arrangements were still to be finalised, but the ceremony had been tentatively set for tomorrow.
Lost dreams, lost potential and sore wounds for the remaining relatives aptly sums up the tragedy that claimed the lives of five family members.
David Usaiwataka (40), his wife Edna (30) and children Nathaniel (10), Mishkan (4) and Anodiwanashe (1) all died in a head-on collision with an oncoming vehicle as they were on their way from church in Chinhoyi.
Originally from Chinhoyi, the family moved to Muriel Mine in Mutorashanga where Mr Usaiwataka worked as a fitter and turner at Ashyre Mine.
On the fateful day, the family drove to Chinhoyi for a church service at Glad Tidings Church and after visiting the family home, they left for Mutorashanga.
Their Honda Ballade collided head-on with a VW Vivo that was being driven by Washington Mabika (27) near the 80km peg.
According to witnesses, Mabika - who was reportedly speeding - failed to negotiate a curve and encroached into the lane of the oncoming vehicle.
Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara said police suspect speeding as the cause of the accident.
Sister to the deceased David, Mrs Hazvinei Makanjera said death had robbed the family of a quiet, loving and understanding brother.
"It's a tragedy that we are still trying to get to grips with because it has taken a whole family," she said.
Pastor Persuade Nhema of Glad Tidings Church in Chinhoyi said he had earlier talked to Usaiwataka about his plans.
"He was scheduled to go to church today (yesterday) and proceed to Kwekwe Polytechnic to further his education in machining under the auspices of NUST," he said.
He said the children were still young and a whole chapter had been closed and with it a future of unfulfilled promises.
Burial arrangements were still to be finalised, but the ceremony had been tentatively set for tomorrow.
Source - herald
