Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
THE Midzi family, which lives adjacent to the round-about at the confluence of Robert Mugabe and Kumbirai Kangai (Aerodrome) roads, on Wednesday cheated death by a whisker when a haulage truck lost its breaks as it descended the Christmas Pass slopes, and crashed into the house while they were asleep.
The house was reduced to a rubble, bolstering calls by stakeholders for the swift construction of the alternative Christmas Pass Bypass route to reduce the frequency of accidents on either ends of the eight-kilometre steep stretch.
This is the 18th road accident at the property since 2007, and the family now lives in perpetual fear of being wiped out as haulage trucks which develop brake failure continue to fly down the Christmas Pass slopes, and crash into the property.
The Mozambique-bound haulage truck was transporting lithium, and miraculously, no one was injured in the accident; thanks to a request by the family’s daughter, Kierra (five) the previous night, that they sleep in the sitting room, instead of the main bedroom, so that she could watch cartoons on television.
Kierra and her mother, Ms Melania Midzi, usually sleep in the main bedroom, which was mowed down by the truck, while both were asleep in the sitting room.
Three rooms, including the main bedroom, spare bedroom and kitchen, were extensively damaged, prompting the community to demand swift action to prevent further tragedies.
In an interview, a petrified Ms Midzi said the worst could have happened had Kierra not insisted that they both put up in the sitting room.
“I am still traumatised and shocked. My little daughter is my angel. She insisted that we sleep in the sitting room, otherwise both of us would have died had I not listened to her,” she said, adding that the other bedroom that was destroyed is often shared by her niece, Mary, and their domestic worker, who both were away for the holidays.
“If they had been around, we could have been talking of a different and sad story. Both travelled for the holidays, and were supposed to be back on Tuesday, but they did not. I believe it was God’s miraculous hand that stopped and spared them from this accident. Had things been different, all of us would have perished in our sleep,” she said, adding that the accident happened around 1am.
Ms Midzi said she heard the flying truck smashing barricades as it charged toward the house.
“I heard the truck making a lot of noise, and immediately knew it was charging towards us. All I could do was pick my little girl from her slumber. I did not know what to do next, considering the trauma of the 17 previous accidents,” she said.
Ms Midzi said they have been petitioning Mutare City Council since 2007 to be relocated, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
“At one time we were told that it was expensive to relocate us. We have written to them on many occasions, and it seems they want to act when someone has died first. You can imagine the trauma that we have been enduring since 2007 when the first accident occurred. This is the 18th accident, and its trauma after trauma,” she said.
Her nephew, Mr Joseph Midzi, who was also under the same roof when the accident occurred, said the driver told them that the truck developed brake failure as it descended the steep Christmas Pass slopes.
“There were five people in the house, and luckily no one was hurt. The driver sustained minor injuries and was treated and discharged at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital. He has since been taken for questioning by the police.
“We are appealing to the authorities to relocate us because we are not safe here. We are also appealing for foodstuffs and other incidentals because our kitchen was destroyed together with the two bedrooms. We are also afraid that part of the house which remains might give in when the truck is removed,” he said.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, said it was sad that accidents continue recurring at the Midzi house, adding that plans are at an advanced stage for the construction of the Christmas Pass Bypass route to help reduce such accidents.
“We are sorry to the Midzi family which has continued to face this kind of mishaps now and again. We can assure them that Government is working tirelessly to bring to an end such sad experiences. This is the main reason why we have lobbied for the construction of the Christmas Pass Bypass Road, which I am aware, is commencing shortly. The programme is on course as it is connected to the Forbes Border Post expansion project,” he said.
Ministry of Local Government and Public Works’ Manicaland provincial director, Mr John Misi, said the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) will cater for the family’s urgent needs.
“What is more saddening is that this is a recurring incident, and it is high time that together with the city council we come up with a permanent plan, and make sure this never happens again,” he said.
Acting Town Clerk, Mr Blessing Chafesuka said the house is no longer inhabitable, and there is need for an emergency full council meeting to explore the best to assist the family.
