By A Correspondent| Three people who were testifying in a court case involving a police officer who was arrested for allegedly s.e.xually abusing 21 pupils at Bulu Primary School in Mangwe District died in a car crash along the Plumtree- Mphoengs Road.

The police confirmed that the accident claimed the three lives and left nine other passengers injured after the vehicle they were travelling in hit two potholes and overturned at the 56KM peg along the Plumtree-Mphoengs Road.

However, the police ruled out foul play calling on drivers to avoid travelling at night.

“I can confirm that three people died while nine others were injured when a Nissan pick-up they were travelling in hit a pothole and burst its left rear tyre resulting in the driver losing control of the car which hit another pothole before breaking its axle and overturning,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

He identified the deceased as Perseverance Zivanai (46), Mary Nandi Dube (32) and Sharon Ncube (14). Dube and Ncube died on the spot while Zivanai died on admission to Tshitshi Clinic.

The victims were returning home after testifying in a court case involving Constable Peter Muzulu (35) who is accused of abusing 21 pupils at Bulu Primary School while investigating a s.e.xual abuse claim at the same school.

Assist Comm Nyathi said the driver and eight other passengers – four teachers, three pupils and two other guardians- all witnesses in the case, escaped with various injuries and are admitted at Plumtree District Hospital and United Bulawayo Hospitals.

Asst Comm Nyathi dismissed claims that there could have been foul play which could have caused the accident.

“This is an unfortunate accident and we do not want to read anything into it besides that. If there are any comments or suggestions from any quarters, as police we are not privy to that,” he said.

Bulilima-Mangwe Senator Simon Khaya Moyo mourned the death of the accident victims and wished the injured ones a speedy recovery.

“I have learnt with shock and dismay of the untimely and tragic demise of three people (including a pupil) in a horrific truck accident on the Plumtree-Brunapeg Road with others severely injured and admitted to Plumtree District Hospital and United Bulawayo Hospitals respectively,” he said.

Khaya Moyo said such accidents will sadly continue to occur and claim lives if roads in Mangwe and Bulilima districts are not attended to. 

“Such accidents tell the story of the terrible state of roads in Bulilima and Mangwe Districts which need urgent attention if lives are to be saved.

“Urgent action needs to be taken to complete the tarred road from Plumtree to Maphisa growth point as it stopped at Tshitshi more than 10 years ago. The same applies to roads in Bulilima District,” he said.-StateMedia