Lupane officer-in-charge killed in accident

VICTORIA FALLS – The officer-in-charge of Lupane Police Station in Matabeleland North, Chief Inspector Patrick Haruziveshe died on the spot while five people he was travelling with were injured when a police car he was driving was involved in an accident.

The accident happened at the 126km peg along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road near the Catholic run St Luke’s Hospital at about 9.30pm on Monday.

Matabeleland North provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Siphiwe Makonese yesterday confirmed the death of Chief Insp Haruziveshe, who was aged 43.

Asst Insp Makonese said the five people who were injured in the accident are admitted to St Luke’s Hospital.

“I confirm with great sadness the untimely passing away of the officer-in-charge of Lupane Police Station, Chief Inspector Patrick Haruziveshe. He passed away on Monday evening in a road accident,” she said.

Asst Insp Makonese said Chief Insp Haruziveshe was driving towards Lupane from Bulawayo when the accident occurred.

“At about 9.30pm and at the 126km peg, a Bakers Inn truck which was being driven by Thulani Ndlovu (35) of 8616 Cowdray Park, Bulawayo, and was speeding, encroached onto the lane of the Defender, which was being driven by Chief Insp Haruziveshe and the two vehicles side-swiped.

“The Defender’s front right wheel deflated and the vehicle veered off the road and overturned before landing on its roof killing Chief Insp Haruziveshe on the spot and injuring five passengers. No one from the Bakers Inn truck was injured,” she said.

Asst Insp Makonese said the injured passengers and the body of Chief Insp Haruziveshe were taken to St Luke’s Hospital and mortuary respectively. She said his next of kin have been advised and funeral arrangements were underway.

In another accident, a Botswana man identified as Cephas Joani (56), died on the spot from injuries he sustained when the vehicle he was driving rammed into the back of a National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority vehicle that was partially parked on the road at the 135km peg along the Victoria Falls-Bulawayo Road.

The accident happened at about 9.45pm on Sunday.

Asst Insp Makonese said after ramming into the parks vehicle, Joani lost control of the vehicle, which then veered off the road before hitting a tree. “The driver of the vehicle died on the spot while the three passengers he was carrying were injured and taken to St Luke’s Hospital where they are admitted,” she said.

Asst Insp Makonese advised drivers to desist from speeding especially when they are travelling at night. The Chronicle