Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent
SIX members of the same family died when a Nissan truck they were travelling in sideswiped with a South African registered Audi sedan at Mavise turnoff along the Harare-Masvingo highway near Mvuma on Saturday.

Chirumhanzu Rural District Council employee, Charles Nyika, died on the spot while his wife, their grandchild and three other children died upon admission to Mvuma District Hospital on the same day.

The horrific accident was confirmed by Chirumhanzu Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer, Lovemore Chatikobo, yesterday.

Chatikobo described Nyika as a humble and dedicated man.

“We’re deeply saddened by Nyika’s death. He was employed by the council as a driver. The entire staff at Chirumhanzu RDC is deeply shocked by his death. Nyika was passionate about his work and very obedient. He was involved in an accident along the Harare-Masvingo highway and was laid to rest today (yesterday) in Ward 15 in Nyikavanhu Village, Chirumhanzu area,” said Chatikobo.

Witnesses said Nyika was driving a council vehicle and coming from his rural home.

They said he turned right into the highway in front of an oncoming vehicle resulting in the sideswipe.

“The Audi, which was Harare-bound, had two people on board when the accident occurred and the two believed to be a husband and wife sustained minor injuries as a result of the accident,” said an eyewitness.

“Nyika encroached into the right lane while attempting to turn right in front of an oncoming vehicle. The vehicles sideswiped and both cars veered off the road and overturned.”

Meanwhile, there was drama at Nyika’s funeral when a woman believed to be his aunt urinated on his grave soon after burial.

A workmate who attended the funeral said the woman started acting strangely soon after the burial and went on to urinate on Nyika’s grave.

“The woman caused a stir at the funeral when she started urinating on Nyika’s grave while everyone was looking. She was quickly whisked away by her relatives. We suspect that it was a ritual meant to bring back Nyika’s spirit to take revenge on people suspected to have caused his death,” said the workmate who preferred anonymity.

Councillor for Ward 13 in the Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe Constituency, Tremendous Musara, who also attended the funeral, confirmed the incident but refused to shed more light.

“I was there and I saw the woman urinating on the grave but that’s something that I shouldn’t be commenting on. I advise you to get hold of any of Nyika’s relatives for more information,” he said.

Efforts to get a comment from the police were futile as National Police Spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi’s phone went unanswered.

 

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