THE United States embassy has expressed its sadness following a fatal road accident involving a driver from the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) at Checheche Growth Point in Chipinge, Manicaland province, on Thursday this week.
In a statement yesterday, the embassy said it would co-operate with police and other authorities until investigations are over.
“It is with great sadness that the US embassy expresses its deepest condolences following the tragic death of a community member from Checheche Growth Point in Chipinge district, Manicaland province, as a result of a fatal road accident,” the statement said.
The embassy said the accident involved a driver and vehicle affiliated to a USAid-funded project.
“The Zimbabwean driver, an employee of an implementing partner organisation, and the project team are co-operating with police and local officials,” it said.
“We understand the immense sorrow this incident has caused for all involved and will continue to co-operate with the police and other authorities as they complete their investigation.”
In a related matter, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi has confirmed an accident which occurred on Wednesday night at the 53km peg along the Harare-Mutare Highway, whereby five members of the same family perished when a Ford Ranger vehicle with two passengers on board was involved in a head-on collision with a Honda Fit vehicle with five passengers on board.
“Five people were killed, while four others were injured when a Ford Ranger vehicle with two passengers on board was involved in a head on collision with a Honda Fit vehicle with five passengers on board,” he said.
Nyathi identified the victims as Phillip Sithole (34), Jimmy Tinashe Sithole (28), Samuel Sithole (27), Laquisha Sithole (2) and Rumbidzai Mlambo, a female adult, all of Morningside, Mutare.
He said the bodies of the victims were taken to Marondera Hospital mortuary for post-mortem, while the injured are admitted to the same hospital.