The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura Rusape Correspondent
TWO pupils who were on their way to school were last Friday morning run-over by a speeding St Killian’s High truck that also killed a teacher aboard it.
The accident occurred near the Grace Fellowship Church in Rusape, along the Rusape-Nyanga Road.
The accident was attributed to human error amid revelations that the driver Peter Dhliwayo (45) was scrolling his cell-phone when he suddenly lost control of the truck.
The truck then swerved to both sides, before it eventually veered off the road and hit three pupils who were about to enter the main road from a footpath.
Two pupils Kudakwashe Chirare (14), a Form One student at Vengere High and Lorraine Sabora (8), of Mabvazuva Primary School, died on the spot.
Lorraine was hit against a stump and her skull was smashed open.
Kudakwashe and Lorraine stayed next to each other at Uthombo Farm quarters belonging to former health minister Dr David Parirenyatwa.
The teacher Mr Augustine Saunyama (53) was thrown out of the truck and also died on the spot.
Saunyama was on his way to collect some Zimsec exam papers in Rusape.
The other survivors were rushed to Rusape General Hospital.
Manicaland police spokesman Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the accident, but could neither confirm nor deny that Dhliwayo was on his phone when the tragedy struck.
“On October 12, 2018 at around 06:30hrs Dhliwayo, of St Killian’s High School was driving a Toyota Hilux towards Rusape with two passengers aboard. When approaching the three kilometre peg, he lost control of the vehicle and it swerved and eventually veered off the road to the right and hit three pupils who were off road going to school.
“The vehicle travelled for 20 meters and stopped. Two pupils Kudakwashe Chirare and Lorraine Sabora (8) died on the spot. Mr Augustine Saunyama was thrown out of the truck and also died on the spot. The injured, including the driver, were rushed to Rusape General Hospital by well-wishers. A 16-year-old Vengere High student, who is a sister to Lorraine to the deceased Mabvazuva Primary boy, is still at the hospital receiving treatment.
“Investigations are underway and no arrests have been made. Once investigations are completed that is when we will get to know what caused the accident. We appeal to all road users, be it motorists or pedestrians to be always alert,” said Insp Kakohwa.
