Police in Bulawayo have released the names of two men who were run over by a Kombi at the illegal 6th Avenue taxi rank on Wednesday night.
The victims have been identified as Christopher Mukuwapasi and Lizwe Ncube, both adults.
The driver of the Kombi has been named as Simbarashe Chokumanyara, 28, from Emakhandeni suburb in Bulawayo.
In a statement, Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said Chokumanyara was driving a Toyota Hiace Kombi west along 6th Avenue with 18 passengers on board when he lost control.
The vehicle swerved to the left, hitting 14 people who were standing near the road or walking near OK Godini. She said:
“As a result of the accident, two people Chistopher Mukuwapasi, a male adult approximately in his late 30s and Lizwe Ncube, a male adult aged approximately 30 years of Cowdray Park, Bulawayo, died on the spot and were ferried to United Bulawayo Hospital for post morte,m and 12 others sustained various injuries and were ferried to Mpilo for treatment.”
She said the accident was caused by the driver speeding and failing to keep a proper lookout, and as a result, he has been charged with culpable homicide.
Inspector Msebele urged all drivers to be extra careful, always watch out for pedestrians, avoid speeding—especially in areas with high pedestrian activity—and follow all traffic rules to prevent such accidents.
She also called on public service vehicle owners to hire properly licensed and experienced drivers.
The police have also advised passengers to board only at designated pick-up points and avoid getting on vehicles from undesignated locations.
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