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Oswell Moyo Chronicle Reporter
A KOMBI driver has been charged with culpable homicide after two people died in January when a commuter omnibus he was driving crashed into a pick-up truck at the intersection of Khami Road and Mpopoma Drive in Bulawayo.

Isaac Dumezweni Ncube, 33, appeared before magistrate Temba Chimiso facing a charge of culpable homicide.

He pleaded not guilty and was remanded out of custody to March 17, on $100 bail.

As part of the bail conditions, Ncube was asked to reside at his given address until the finalisation of the case and not to interfere with state witnesses.

Prosecuting, Ruvimbo Chanduru said on January 26 at around 4PM, Ncube was driving a Toyota Hiace.

“When he was at the intersection of Mpopoma Drive and Khami Road, he proceeded through a red robot,” said Chanduru.

He was involved in a road traffic accident with Godfrey Gava who was driving a Nissan NP 300 travelling along Mpopoma South Road, she said.

The court heard that two people died as a result of injuries sustained in the accident.

Sipho Mpofu, a passenger, died on the spot while Gava died upon admission to Mater Dei Hospital.

“Traffic lights were in good condition and the accused had no right to drive the vehicle in the manner he did.

“The causes of the death were pulmonary adema, right haemothorax and multiple rib fractures,” said Chanduru.

The court heard that Ncube is a holder of a Class 2 driver’s licence.

Last month, people who witnessed the accident said Ncube was fleeing traffic police when he drove through a red robot.

“We were walking on a footpath along Khami road when a kombi passed us at high speed.

“We heard a bang and when we rushed to the scene, we found the woman already dead,” said a witness.