Residents call for action on black spot

Raymond Jaravaza
Residents of Emakhandeni suburb fear a ‘black spot’ along Luveve Road that has been the scene of fatal accidents could continue to claim more lives after a man pushing a push cart was run over and killed by a bus last Friday.

The latest incident occurred on 18 September when a 40-year-old man who was pushing a push cart was killed after being run over by a bus contracted to the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) along the busy Luveve Road, according to the police.

The driver of the bus, a 53-year-old, is facing a charge of culpable homicide.

“Police in Bulawayo are investigating a case of traffic accident involving a CAG bus contracted to Zupco and a pedestrian, which occurred along Luveve Road at Emakhandeni suburb near Mhambi Beer Garden on the 18 September around 7pm and the pedestrian was killed.

“The deceased was pushing a push cart along Luveve Road and the circumstances are that he was hit by a bus and died on the spot after sustaining internal injuries,” said Bulawayo acting spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele.

Now residents of Emakhandeni suburb are demanding that the Bulawayo City Council takes action to prevent further loss of life at the ‘black spot’.

“In the last one and half years, four people have been killed at the same spot and we wonder if the council is listening to our pleas for something to be done at that black spot.

“Most of the accidents happen in the evening when people are going back home to Emakhandeni after dropping off from town or other suburbs. Last year two elderly men were hit by cars on separate occasions while trying to cross Luveve Road from Mhambi Beer Garden,” said Mlandeli Mpofu, a member of the residents association.

Another resident Victor Mlilo said he stopped drinking at Mhambi Beer Garden for fear of being knocked down by speeding vehicles on Luveve Road.

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