7 crash victims named

POLICE have named seven people who were killed while four others escaped with minor injuries when a vehicle they were travelling in plunged into Tsambe River bridge, 15km off the Glendale-Centenary Road, police chief spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said yester- day.

"An adult male was driving a Mazda DX2500 twin-cab due east along an unnamed road towards Burmside Farm with 11 passengers on board. On approaching the said road, he lost control of the vehicle and veered off the road to the left and plunged into Tsambe River," she said.

The seven have been identified as Precious Daimani (20), Blessing Mundiya (38), Patricia Kwerera (16), Benhilda Mutemachani (4), Tafadzwa Paulosi (1) and Tawananyasha Kwerera (2) all of Village 4A Simoona in Bindura.

"The deceased were trapped and subsequently drowned whilst four others escaped with minor injuries. The bodies were taken to Concession Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem," she said.

She said in a related incident, a two-year-nine-month-old boy was knocked down and killed by a speeding commuter omnibus in Glen View Area 8 in Harare.

The incident occurred along 20th Crescent and the driver of the kombi did not stop.

Leon Moffart Shayakarima sustained head injuries and died on the spot.

"Police are concerned with the continuous loss of life on our roads and would like to warn motorists to desist from fleeing after being involved in an accident," Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.

She said anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the kombi driver should report to any nearest police station or contact the National Complaints Desk on (04) 703631.

Meanwhile, a motorist who killed two Sunningdale 1 Primary School pupils on the spot last week will appear in court soon facing two counts of culpable homicide, the Zimbabwe Republic Police said yesterday.

Ben Kabudura of Unit L in Chitungwiza was allegedly speeding when the accident occurred last Friday.

He was driving a Toyota Avensis registration number AEE 1734.

Kabudura lost control of his vehicle and encroached onto the opposite lane.

He then hit three pupils, killing two on the spot.

The other pupil was injured and taken to hospital.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said investigations were still in progress.

"He is set to appear in court facing two counts of culpable homicide once investigations have been completed," she said.

Kabudura is a ZB Bank employee.

The deceased have since been buried while the condition of the hospitalised pupil is yet to be ascertained.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba urged motorists to avoid speeding and exercise caution especially when driving near schools.

Two months ago a Girls' High pupil was killed by a commuter omnibus, who fled the secne before skipping the border to South Africa.

The driver of the commuter omnibus was sentenced to six years in jail.