Neighbour runs over crawling toddler

A one-year-old toddler, Munashe Maveneka, tragically died after being run over by a neighbour's vehicle in Hobhouse suburb.

Acting Manicaland police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Chinyoka confirmed that a culpable homicide case has been opened against the driver as investigations continue.

"I can confirm a fatal road traffic accident which occurred on March 2, in Hobhouse suburb, Mutare, where a one-year-four-month-old toddler died after being run over by a vehicle," Ass Insp Chinyoka said.

The driver, Simon Tatira, 25, was reportedly driving a Honda Fit along an unnamed road in the suburb. While stopped for about five minutes speaking to a friend, the toddler crawled from her residence, following her mother who had gone to a neighbour's house, and ended up under the parked vehicle without the driver's knowledge.

"As he moved the vehicle, the left rear wheel ran over the toddler," Ass Insp Chinyoka explained. Tatira immediately stopped upon realizing he had hit something and found the child motionless on the ground.

The toddler was rushed to St Joseph's Mission Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. The vehicle has been taken to the Vehicle Examination Department for inspection as part of ongoing investigations.

Tatira is expected to face culpable homicide charges in connection with the incident.

Ass Insp Chinyoka urged motorists to exercise extreme caution in residential areas and to check around vehicles before driving, particularly where children may be present.

"Small children can easily move around unnoticed and such tragic incidents can occur," he said, while also advising parents and guardians to closely supervise toddlers near roads and parked vehicles.