The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura
Rusape Correspondent
THE driver of the Tynwald High School bus which was involved in an accident which claimed seven lives appeared in court in Nyanga today and was denied bail.
Chamunorwa Machimbidzofa (44) of Westlea in Harare was playing hide and seek with law enforcement agents following the accident which claimed the lives of six learners and a Geography teacher on October 14 until his arrest this week.
Machimbidzofa was not asked to plead to culpable homicide charges when he appeared before Nyanga magistrate, Ms Notebulgar Muchineripi and was remanded in custody to November 17.
Appearing for the State, Mr Cuthbert Bhosha said: “On October 14, along the Rusape-Nyanga Road, Machimbidzofa was driving a Zhong Tong bus carrying 45 passengers on board. Upon approaching the 75km peg, Machimbidzofa failed to negotiate a curve and lost control of the bus.
“The bus then veered off the road and overturned several times before landing on its roof. This resulted in six passengers being killed, while 39 others were injured. The Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) from Rusape was called to inspect the bus and compiled a report.
“The Traffic Accident Evaluator was also called to the scene and compiled a report. The accused person drove the bus negligently in one or more of the following particulars (a) travelling at an excessive speed under the circumstances, (b) failed to keep a proper look out of the road ahead, (c) failed to keep the vehicle under proper control and (d) failed to stop or act reasonable when the accident seemed imminent,” said Mr Bhosha.
