Six family members perish in accident

By Munyaradzi Musiiwa

MVUMA – Six family members were killed when a Nissan truck they were travelling in sideswiped a South Africa-registered Audi sedan at Mavise Turn-off along the Harare-Masvingo Highway near Mvuma on Saturday afternoon.

Chirumhanzu Rural District Council employee, Charles Nyika, died on the spot, while his wife, grandchild and three children died on admission at Mvuma Hospital.

The Audi, which was headed for Harare, had two people on board when the accident occurred. The two are believed to be husband and wife and they sustained minor injuries.

Eyewitnesses said Nyika, who was driving a council vehicle coming from his rural home, turned right into the highway in front of the Audi vehicle, resulting in a sides-wipe.

“Nyika was driving a council pick-up truck and was coming from his rural home in Nyikavanhu area in Chirumhanzu when he encroached into the left lane while attempting to turn right in front of an oncoming vehicle. The vehicles sideswiped and both cars veered off the road and overturned.

Nyika died on the spot, while his wife, three children and his grandchild died at the hospital,” said an eyewitness who preferred anonymity.

Chirumhanzu District Council Chief Executive Officer Mr Lovemore Chatikobo confirmed the death of Nyika, saying he was a humble and dedicated man.

“We are deeply saddened by Nyika’s death. He was working here as a driver and we have leant with great shock of his untimely death. “He was passionate about his work and very obedient. He was involved in an accident along Harare-Masvingo Highway. He was laid to rest today (yesterday) in Ward 15 in Nyikavanhu area,” he said.

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 the culprits,” said the workmate who refused to be named.

Chirumhanzu Councillor 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. “That is not something that I should 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 police were futile as National Police Spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi’s phone went unanswered. The Herald