COUPLE in Toronto’s Penhalonga area on the outskirts of Mutare was dealt a fatal blow when their only two children – Sylviane and Strife Mapunde – were among three students hit by a speeding car driven by an obviously drunk driver. Christmas Pass – Shamu Road early this week.
Police confirmed the incident, adding that the fourth victim, who sustained serious injuries, was taken to Victoria Chitepo District Hospital. He was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday.
Police have identified the deceased as Blessing Chasarira (nine), Sylvian Mapunde (13) and Strive Mapunde (nine), all from the Chiruchango area of Toronto.
Sylvian Mabonde was in the sixth grade at Little St. Augustine Primary School, while his brother Strife was in the second grade at the same school.
Chisarira was in second grade at Paul Elementary School.
The three died instantly.
“The Republic of Zimbabwe Police confirms that there was a road traffic accident which resulted in the death of three learners, while another learner was injured when a Toyota Fortuner veered off the road to the left and hit the learners who were crossing the road at the 2km line along Christmas Pass-Shamu Road on 12 March 2023 about 3 pm.
“The victims were identified by their relatives as Blessing Chasarira, Sylviane Mapunde and Strive Mapunde. The bodies of the victims were taken to Victoria Chitepo District Hospital for autopsy, while the injured student was admitted to the same hospital,” police said in a statement.
Acting Manicaland Provincial Police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, said the driver of the car, John Dambora, has been charged with culpable homicide.
When a Manica Post news crew visited the scene shortly after the accident on Tuesday afternoon, parents of the deceased children were struggling to contain their emotions, while neighbors struggled to console them.
Witnesses told the Manica Post that the driver of the car, Dombura, was drunk, stoned and speeding.
They said Dambora may have lost control of the speeding car, leading to the tragedy.
Mr. Gift Mabonde, whose two only children had just descended from Kumbi and were just meters away from their home, cried uncontrollably as his relatives and neighbors tried in vain to console and calm him down.
A gloomy atmosphere swept through his entire house, with everyone’s heads bowed.
Tears filled the eyes of the parents and other mourners.
unbelievable!
Mourners shook their heads in disbelief, pain and anger written on their faces.
They said this tragedy could have been avoided if someone had been careful on the road.
“My children Sylviane and Strife were hit by the car and died instantly. They have gone. They had just gotten off the combi on their way home.
“Although I arrived a few moments after the accident, I saw the driver; He was clearly drunk. It happened around 3pm since I came from the place where I work as a security guard.
“This is so devastating. I cannot believe I no longer have any children. They were all taken away in the blink of an eye. This is something that is difficult to understand and come to terms with. I am in so much pain, and whoever did this should pay for their sins,” Mr Mapunde said. .
“When I arrived at the scene, I saw my child lying in the bushes on the side of the road,” said Janet Ziadhoma, Blessing Chesari’s mother, in visible pain. The father accompanied the child to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. “The car belonged to Dombura, and the driver was clearly drunk.”
Mrs Primrose Masiyiwa, who witnessed the accident, said: “I was coming to fetch water and saw these children checking both sides of the road before crossing.
“It all happened so fast, the next thing I heard was a loud crash. When I rushed to check what had happened, I realized that the children had been hit by the car and were lying in the bushes on the side of the road. I could have been hit by the same car if I had crossed at the same time as “Children. This has been a traumatic experience.”
Another witness, Mr Malvin Maconie, said: “I was sitting in the nearby shops when I heard a crash. When I turned my head to see what had happened, the car had turned in the direction it was coming from.
“People rushed to the scene and I also joined them. When I got there, the deceased children had already been loaded into the car, but the only thing for sure was that the driver was clearly drunk.
Dambora, who was told by his father to go home and rest soon after the accident, is understood to have attended the funeral. The three children were still buried at the time of going to press yesterday (Thursday). Manica Post
