Staff Reporter
The driver of a Crandid Investments fuel tanker involved in a horrific road traffic accident that claimed 12 lives near the Sebakwe River along the Harare-Bulawayo highway last week is set to appear at the Kwekwe Magistrates Court on 25 June 2025 facing charges of culpable homicide and negligent driving.
Silas Mazipethela (49) of Mainway Meadows, Waterfalls, Harare, was initially set to stand trial yesterday, but proceedings were postponed to 25 June 2025 after only five out of the 12 listed witnesses attended court.
Mazipethela was driving the fuel-laden tanker on 27 May 2025 when he lost control of the vehicle in an alleged attempt to avoid a head-on collision with an oncoming lorry. The tanker overturned and landed on top of an AD van carrying 12 passengers, killing all of them at the scene.
The victims have since been identified as James Ncube (23) of Village 12, Sherwood; Emily Mpofu Mucheuki (25) of Plot 27, Sherwood; Reward Nyatsongo (28) of Village 7, Marivale; Farai Bisendi (47) of Mbizo 16; Emmanuel Mangomana (21); Maria Jasi (43) of Mbizo 16 Extension; Marvellous Mapanzure (20) and Joshua Muza (35), both of Indarama Mine; Sarudzai Moramasaka (26) of Alarm 2 Compound; Beauty Mudereki (52) of Sherwood; Violety Juja (40) of Mbizo; and Henly Mutambara (34) of Mbizo.
Twelve relatives of the deceased are expected to testify when the trial resumes later this month.
Mazipethela is out of custody.
