Mystery surrounds fugitive bus driver who fled crash scene

THE owner of the Vazungu bus that killed six church members following an accident near Bonda Mission has told the police that he does not know the identity and whereabouts of his driver who caused the fatal crash.

Benjamin Chikwanha told traffic cops investigating the case that he had only employed the driver to ferry the church members.

Acting Manicaland Traffic co-ordinator Chief Inspector Cyprian Mukahanana revealed this week that the police are yet to locate the driver who fled from the crash scene.

The police and survivors are blaming the driver for causing the accident as he sped down the steep curves.

"We sent our officers to Chikwanha to collect information about his driver, but he told them that he knew nothing about his employee. Chikwanha said the driver used to work for Chawasarira before recruiting him.

He also said the driver only showed him his driver's licence and had not recorded his details prior to the Bonda accident," he said.

The traffic cops will now visit Chawasarira to get information that will help them track the fugitive driver who will be charged with culpable homicide.

On Monday reports showed that officials with the Vazungu bus company were moving from household to household assisting the bereaved families.
The company said Chikwanha went to Bonda to visit some of the victims who were still in hospital and others who were admitted in Mutare.

The bus crashed in Mutasa on Independence Day eve while ferrying 63 church members who were going to attend Easter celebrations.