News / National
Drunk driver knocks down 19 police recruits, kills biker
07 Mar 2013 at 03:57hrs | Views
A DRUNKEN man reportedly knocked down 19 police recruits who were on a routine morning physical training on Saturday.
Paradzayi Mhangwa (29) of 1477 Kuwadzana 3 and is employed at Lafarge Cement in Harare also fatally struck a motorcyclist.
The police recruits from Chikurubi Training Depot were part of a 500-member contingent training along Acturus Road.
The deceased cyclist has been identified as Kefas Mukari.
Mhangwa pleaded not guilty to culpable homicide, negligent driving and driving under the influence of alcohol when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Donald Ndirowei yesterday.
He was represented in court by lawyer Mr Shingirai Ushewokunze.
Mr Ndirowei remanded Mhangwa to March 19 on US$50 bail.
As part of his bail conditions, Mr Ndirowei ordered Mhangwa not to interfere with State witnesses, report once a fortnight to the police, surrender travel documents and reside at the given address.
Prosecutor Ms Junior Mugebe told the court that on March 2 this year and at around 6am, Mhangwa was driving a Mazda Axella due east along Acturus Road in the same direction with the late Mukari.
At the time, Mukari was cycling on the far left side of the road in front of Mhangwa, the court heard.
The court also heard that 500 police recruits from Chikurubi were on their morning physical training and running along the same road due west facing Mhangwa and Mukari.
Ms Mugebe told the court that at a certain point and approximately 400metres from the intersection of Acturus Road and Harare Drive, Mhangwa knocked down Mukari and injured him seriously.
The court heard that Mhangwa lost control of the vehicle before knocking down 19 police recruits who sustained severe injuries.
Ms Mugebe said 11 of the 19 police recruits were rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital for treatment.
Eight other recruits were taken to Chikurubi Hospital where they received treatment and were discharged.
Mukari was rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital where he died on admission.
After the accident, the court heard, Mhangwa was taken for a breath test and it was discovered he was driving under the influence of alcohol.
Paradzayi Mhangwa (29) of 1477 Kuwadzana 3 and is employed at Lafarge Cement in Harare also fatally struck a motorcyclist.
The police recruits from Chikurubi Training Depot were part of a 500-member contingent training along Acturus Road.
The deceased cyclist has been identified as Kefas Mukari.
Mhangwa pleaded not guilty to culpable homicide, negligent driving and driving under the influence of alcohol when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Donald Ndirowei yesterday.
He was represented in court by lawyer Mr Shingirai Ushewokunze.
Mr Ndirowei remanded Mhangwa to March 19 on US$50 bail.
As part of his bail conditions, Mr Ndirowei ordered Mhangwa not to interfere with State witnesses, report once a fortnight to the police, surrender travel documents and reside at the given address.
At the time, Mukari was cycling on the far left side of the road in front of Mhangwa, the court heard.
The court also heard that 500 police recruits from Chikurubi were on their morning physical training and running along the same road due west facing Mhangwa and Mukari.
Ms Mugebe told the court that at a certain point and approximately 400metres from the intersection of Acturus Road and Harare Drive, Mhangwa knocked down Mukari and injured him seriously.
The court heard that Mhangwa lost control of the vehicle before knocking down 19 police recruits who sustained severe injuries.
Ms Mugebe said 11 of the 19 police recruits were rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital for treatment.
Eight other recruits were taken to Chikurubi Hospital where they received treatment and were discharged.
Mukari was rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital where he died on admission.
After the accident, the court heard, Mhangwa was taken for a breath test and it was discovered he was driving under the influence of alcohol.
Source - TH
