News / National
MDC-T councillor arrested for fatal hit and run
21 Jul 2011 at 23:51hrs | Views
Panganayi Charumbira, MDC-T Councillor for Ward 43 in Budiriro, Harare has been arrested on charges of hitting a pedestrian and failing to stop along Highfield Road in Harare on Wednesday morning.
Clr Charumbira, who was driving a blue Ford Ranger, was apprehended by members of the public who allegedly bashed him before taking him to Southerton Police Station. The pedestrian Mr Stewart Gopito (67) of Glen Norah later died due to injuries sustained in the accident.
National Traffic Police spokesperson Inspector Tigere Chigome yesterday confirmed the incident saying investigations were in progress.
"The accident happened at around 7.10 am along Highfield Road near the intersection with Manchester Road.
"Information reaching us is that the councillor hit the deceased after veering off the road.
"Mr Gopito was injured and taken to Harare Hospital where he later died," he said.
Insp Chigome said investigations were underway to establish what happened. Clr Charumbira yesterday confirmed the accident but declined to provide details
"Police are handling the issue and I can not comment further but phone me later in the afternoon, I am sorting out something".
When contacted later, he said, "I have your details, I am going to phone you soon," but he did not call.
However, sources close to investigations said Clr Charumbira was trying to overtake another vehicle when he allegedly hit Mr Gopito.
The sources said after hitting his victim, Clr Charumbira allegedly tried to speed away but members of the public gave chase and apprehended him because of traffic congestion.
"He was trying to overtake near the intersection and it was in the process that he veered off the road and hit this man (Mr Gopito).
"He tried to flee the scene but unfortunately for him, alert members of the public gave chase and apprehended him," said a source.
"The angry mob then bashed him before taking him to Southerton Police Station where he was questioned and later released."
When The Herald visited house number 5774 in Glen Norah where mourners are gathered, family members were still trying to come to terms with Mr Gopito death.
Clr Charumbira, who was driving a blue Ford Ranger, was apprehended by members of the public who allegedly bashed him before taking him to Southerton Police Station. The pedestrian Mr Stewart Gopito (67) of Glen Norah later died due to injuries sustained in the accident.
National Traffic Police spokesperson Inspector Tigere Chigome yesterday confirmed the incident saying investigations were in progress.
"The accident happened at around 7.10 am along Highfield Road near the intersection with Manchester Road.
"Information reaching us is that the councillor hit the deceased after veering off the road.
"Mr Gopito was injured and taken to Harare Hospital where he later died," he said.
Insp Chigome said investigations were underway to establish what happened. Clr Charumbira yesterday confirmed the accident but declined to provide details
"Police are handling the issue and I can not comment further but phone me later in the afternoon, I am sorting out something".
When contacted later, he said, "I have your details, I am going to phone you soon," but he did not call.
However, sources close to investigations said Clr Charumbira was trying to overtake another vehicle when he allegedly hit Mr Gopito.
The sources said after hitting his victim, Clr Charumbira allegedly tried to speed away but members of the public gave chase and apprehended him because of traffic congestion.
"He was trying to overtake near the intersection and it was in the process that he veered off the road and hit this man (Mr Gopito).
"He tried to flee the scene but unfortunately for him, alert members of the public gave chase and apprehended him," said a source.
"The angry mob then bashed him before taking him to Southerton Police Station where he was questioned and later released."
When The Herald visited house number 5774 in Glen Norah where mourners are gathered, family members were still trying to come to terms with Mr Gopito death.
Source - TH
