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Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent
POLICE have released the names of six family members who died in a car accident along the Harare-Masvingo highway near Mvuma on Saturday morning.

The family members, who lived in the same house in Mvuma died at the 170km peg along the highway when a Toyota Hilux, not a Nissan truck as earlier reported, they were travelling in was involved in a head-on collision with a South African registered Audi sedan. Police yesterday identified the accident victims as the Toyota Hilux driver Charles Nyika, 51, his wife Patricia Kasimbashori-Nyika, 46, their children Maud Nyika, 23, Ambitious Nyika, 7, Moreblessing Nyika, 5 and grandchild Talent Nyika, 3.

National Police Spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner, Charity Charamba, said Charles failed to give way at Mavise turnoff resulting in a head on collision with an oncoming vehicle.

Snr Ass Comm Charamba said the vehicle that Charles was driving belonged to Chirumhanzu Rural District Council, his employers and had six people on-board who all perished while the Audi had two people on board who are still admitted in hospital.

“Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to confirm the death of six people from the same family in a fatal road traffic accident which occurred at the 170km peg along Harare-Masvingo road on August 29, at 10:00AM,” she said.

“Charles Nyika was driving a Toyota Hilux from Mvuma towards Harare with six passengers on board. When he approached a T-Junction, he failed to give way and encroached into the opposite lane, resulting in a head-on collision with an oncoming vehicle. Charles Nyika and five passengers in his vehicle died on admission at Mvuma and Parirenyatwa hospitals.”

Snr Ass Comm Charamba appealed to motorists to abide by road rules and regulations especially along the country’s major highways.

“Police are urging motorists to concentrate when overtaking to avoid such fatal errors. Motorists should also observe road traffic signs and signals and to value human life. We can’t continue to lose innocent lives,” she said.