29-Year-Old Dies in Hwange Truck Accident: Driver Faces Charges

A tragic road incident unfolded in Hwange when a 29-year-old man was fatally struck by a haulage truck while attempting to cross Ingagula Road.

The victim, identified as Blessing Tafadzwa Mhlanga, was an employee at Sino Hydro Living Camp, a Chinese company operating in Hwange.

The police confirmed the accident occurred last Thursday near Ash Dam. It claimed Mhlanga’s life instantly, leaving the local community in shock.

The truck driver, Emmanuel Muleya, aged 32, has been charged with culpable homicide. Muleya resides at Sino Hydro Compound, also located in Hwange.

Authorities reported that Muleya claimed he did not see Mhlanga but only realized his truck had hit something after the incident.

At approximately 11 a.m. on December 11, Muleya was driving a white Howo tipper truck, registered ABO 6356 and owned by Safast Logistics Hwange.

The accident occurred along Chaba Road as Muleya approached a curve. Mhlanga, trying to cross the road, was struck by the truck.

Police noted that the impact broke Mhlanga’s legs, and he succumbed to his injuries on the spot.

Law enforcement swiftly responded, with the deceased’s body taken to Hwange Colliery Hospital Mortuary for a post-mortem examination.

The tipper truck involved in the accident was subsequently sent to the Central Vehicle Department for inspection.

This incident is not isolated, as it highlights ongoing concerns about road safety and vehicle management in the country.

Only last week, another tragic accident saw two lives lost and 52 people injured after a Shackman tipper truck overturned near 5-Mile Hospital in Harare.

The truck, belonging to a Chinese construction company, was carrying 69 workers when it hit a pothole and fell on its side.

The Harare accident led to the death of Shane Nyathi, for which the driver, Ephraim Manguruwe, was also charged with culpable homicide.

Such incidents underline the grave consequences of road mishaps, often involving heavy vehicles, in regions struggling with infrastructure challenges.

In Hwange, residents are grappling with the aftermath of Mhlanga’s sudden death, as investigations continue to establish further details.

Meanwhile, discussions on improving road safety and preventing avoidable fatalities persist but often yield slow progress.

Local authorities and communities remain hopeful for measures that will reduce the risks posed by heavy vehicles on Zimbabwean roads