Kombi driver crushes toddler

A KOMBI driver ran over a sleeping two year-old baby in Beitbridge, and not knowing he had killed the boy, proceeded to sleep in his car at the accident scene.

Titus Musikadi, 47, is now facing a culpable homicide charge. The toddler from Dulibadzimu suburb was sleeping under a tree at an illegal hiking spot along the Beitbridge-Bulawayo Highway.

Police spokesman for Matabeleland South Province Assistant Inspector Nkosinathi Sibanda said Brian Gova's mother left him unattended on Friday afternoon when she went to sell soft drinks to travellers along the road.

"Initial investigations reveal that the now deceased, was left unattended by his mother sleeping under a tree at the hiking spot. The woman Yananai Moyo, 25, is a vendor at that point," he said.

"While the infant was sleeping, Musikadi drove his vehicle a Toyota Regius to the same tree intending to park the car. In the process he ran over the boy."

Asst Insp Sibanda said after crushing the boy Musikadi slept in the car and was only alerted by other travellers who were at the hiking spot.

He said the boy sustained multiple body fractures and head injuries and was rushed to Beitbridge District Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon admission. The boy's body was taken to Beitbridge district hospital for a postmortem.

Asst Insp Sibanda said further investigations were in progress and that the kombi driver would soon appear in court.

"As police we are urging people to always use designated vending stalls to avoid unnecessary incidents. We are also urging drivers to be cautious at all times," he said.