News / National
Jimmy Mwonzora in horrific accident
11 Mar 2016 at 13:58hrs | Views
A move by St Mathias Tsonzo High headmaster to chase after two vehicles that sped off after collecting two absconding girls from the boarding school during the wee hours of Sunday morning ended in tragedy when the Toyota Hilux he was driving veered off the road, rolled and plunged in a ditch, killing one school guard on the spot, while seriously injuring the headmaster.
St Mathias Tsonzo High is in Mutasa District along meandering Mutare-Nyanga road near Watsomba Business Centre.
The headmaster, Mr James Mwonzora (53), who was admitted at Mutare Provincial Hospital before being airlifted to West End Clinic in Harare, sustained head and chest injuries as well as a broken leg in the accident which killed Uzler Nenohwe (24), a school guard who was in the loading box when the accident occurred.
The other guard, Greatness Mkwindidza (30), who was on the passengers' seat, was saved by the air bag, and sustained minor injuries and was discharged from hospital on the same day.
Manicaland Police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the death of Nenohwe during the accident.
"The accident occurred on March 6 at around 0300hrs at 41km peg along Mutare Nyanga road. The Toyota Hilux ADA4150 owned by St Mathias Tsonzo High, which was being driven by James Mwonzora overturned twice and landed on its wheels.
"Uzler Nenohwe, aged 24, who was in the loading box, died on the spot. Greatness Mkwindidza, who was on the passengers' seat was saved by the air bag but sustained injuries," said Inspector Kakohwa.
However, one of the earliest people to arrive at the scene, Mr Tendai Mandimutsira said that Mr Mwonzora had been chasing after two school girls that had been collected around midnight from St Mathias Tsonzo High School.
"What we gathered is that two vehicles had collected two girls from the boarding school without the permission of the school authorities. The guard rushed to alert the headmaster, who instantly chased after the two vehicles.
"The headmaster had two guards in his vehicle. One was on the passengers' seat while the other was in the loading box. He wanted to overtake one of the vehicles in order to stop it but the driver of the other kept accelerating. So when the headmaster intended to get back to his lane he lost control of his vehicle leading to the accident.
"We arrived about five minutes after the accident had occurred. It happened at that bridge just before Watsomba Business Centre on your way from Nyanga to Mutare. We did not manage to get the identity of the people who were driving the vehicles as well as the identity of the girls.
"We then went to collect the police after trying to rescue those in the vehicle. We arrived at the scene with police officers at round 4am," said Mr Mandimutsira.
Manicaland Provincial Education Director Mr Edward Shumba paid his condolences to the bereaved family and wished a speedy recovery to Mr Mwonzora.
"We sincerely mourn with the bereaved family, we empathise with them in this difficult moment. I also want to wish Mr Mwonzora a speedy recovery. I feel for his family, the pain they are going through owing to this sad episode.
"In the same breadth, we really want to urge headmasters to take steps to ensure that school children are closely monitored all the time.
"As we speak, I am on my way to St Mathias Tsonzo to hear what transpired on the ground. I also intend to instruct our officers on the ground to carry thorough investigations to verify what really transpired,'' said Mr Shumba.
St Mathias Tsonzo High is in Mutasa District along meandering Mutare-Nyanga road near Watsomba Business Centre.
The headmaster, Mr James Mwonzora (53), who was admitted at Mutare Provincial Hospital before being airlifted to West End Clinic in Harare, sustained head and chest injuries as well as a broken leg in the accident which killed Uzler Nenohwe (24), a school guard who was in the loading box when the accident occurred.
The other guard, Greatness Mkwindidza (30), who was on the passengers' seat, was saved by the air bag, and sustained minor injuries and was discharged from hospital on the same day.
Manicaland Police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the death of Nenohwe during the accident.
"The accident occurred on March 6 at around 0300hrs at 41km peg along Mutare Nyanga road. The Toyota Hilux ADA4150 owned by St Mathias Tsonzo High, which was being driven by James Mwonzora overturned twice and landed on its wheels.
"Uzler Nenohwe, aged 24, who was in the loading box, died on the spot. Greatness Mkwindidza, who was on the passengers' seat was saved by the air bag but sustained injuries," said Inspector Kakohwa.
However, one of the earliest people to arrive at the scene, Mr Tendai Mandimutsira said that Mr Mwonzora had been chasing after two school girls that had been collected around midnight from St Mathias Tsonzo High School.
"What we gathered is that two vehicles had collected two girls from the boarding school without the permission of the school authorities. The guard rushed to alert the headmaster, who instantly chased after the two vehicles.
"The headmaster had two guards in his vehicle. One was on the passengers' seat while the other was in the loading box. He wanted to overtake one of the vehicles in order to stop it but the driver of the other kept accelerating. So when the headmaster intended to get back to his lane he lost control of his vehicle leading to the accident.
"We arrived about five minutes after the accident had occurred. It happened at that bridge just before Watsomba Business Centre on your way from Nyanga to Mutare. We did not manage to get the identity of the people who were driving the vehicles as well as the identity of the girls.
"We then went to collect the police after trying to rescue those in the vehicle. We arrived at the scene with police officers at round 4am," said Mr Mandimutsira.
Manicaland Provincial Education Director Mr Edward Shumba paid his condolences to the bereaved family and wished a speedy recovery to Mr Mwonzora.
"We sincerely mourn with the bereaved family, we empathise with them in this difficult moment. I also want to wish Mr Mwonzora a speedy recovery. I feel for his family, the pain they are going through owing to this sad episode.
"In the same breadth, we really want to urge headmasters to take steps to ensure that school children are closely monitored all the time.
"As we speak, I am on my way to St Mathias Tsonzo to hear what transpired on the ground. I also intend to instruct our officers on the ground to carry thorough investigations to verify what really transpired,'' said Mr Shumba.
Source - Manica Post