The Sunday News
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
AN injiva from Tsholotsho died on the spot while four passengers were injured when he lost control of his vehicle while travelling with his family on a visit to his in-laws in Bulilima District on Wednesday.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Inspector Philani Ndebele said Joseph Ndlovu of Ntshaba area failed to negotiate a curve at the 88 kilometre peg along Plumtree-Ndolwane Road on Wednesday around 9AM.
He said the vehicle veered off the road and rammed into a mopane tree before landing on its right side. Ndlovu sustained head injuries and died on the spot while four passengers sustained injuries and were rushed to Plumtree District Hospital.
“I can confirm that we received a report of an accident which occurred at the 88 kilometre peg along Plumtree- Ndolwane Road in Bulilima District.
Joseph Ndlovu was driving a Toyota Avanza South African registered vehicle on Wednesday around 9AM.
“He failed to negotiate a curve and the vehicle veered off the road and hit a mopane tree before landing on its right side. Ndlovu died on the spot while four passengers sustained injuries,” he said.
Insp Ndebele called on motorists to exercise caution when travelling on gravel roads especially during the rainy season. He said motorists should adjust their speed, especially when travelling on bad roads.
The councillor of Khame Ward, Tamilika Ndlovu said the accident occurred about a kilometre from Khame Business Centre.
He said Ndlovu was travelling with his wife and six children on their way to his in-laws when the accident occurred.
“There is a family that was coming from Tsholotsho going to Butshe Village in Ndolwane Ward in Bulilima District. They were travelling along Plumtree- Ndolwane Road which passes through Khame Ward and when they were about a kilometre from Khame Business Centre the driver who was reportedly speeding failed to negotiate a curve and the vehicle rammed into a tree.
“Villagers pulled the children and the driver’s wife out of the wreckage. It appears that this man was on his way to visit his in-laws together with his family over the festive holiday,” he said.
Mr Ndlovu said three of the children who were also in the car escaped unharmed. He said the driver is suspected to have died as the car crashed and landed on his side. -@DubeMatutu
