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Cephas Shava
13 March 2017, MWENEZI – A 25-year-old driver accused of killing five people in a horrific traffic accident which happened along the Masvingo – Beitbridge road last year has appeared at the Mwenezi Magistrates Court facing charges of culpable homicide.
Courage Salani pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Magistate Honest Musiwa.
He argued through his lawyer that one wheel of the vehicle he was driving on the fateful day burst due circumstances that were beyond his control.
Giving evidence before the same court, one of the accident survivors, Mercy Maregere, however, said Salani was over-speeding his overloaded vehicle, with the front seat accommodating three passengers at times.
The State’s Willard Chasi said on April 4, 2016 at around 11:00 hrs, Salani was driving a Toyota Granvia, registration number ADS 8545, to Beitbridge.
At the 126 kilometre peg, Salani lost control of the vehicle resulting in it veering off the road and overturning several times before it landed on its wheels.
Four passengers; Fidelis Muzvidziwa, Colonel Chirilele, Rampson Tseliso and Fiona Ndanga died on the spot while Samuel Sibanda died upon admission at Neshuro District Hospital.
Salani was remanded out of custody and the trial will continue on April 12.local
