Man dies on way to funeral

A BULAWAYO man died while his five relatives escaped unharmed when a vehicle they were travelling in veered off the road and hit a barbed wire while they were on their way to a funeral.

Matabeleland South acting provincial police spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the incident which occurred near Figtree area at the 30-kilometre peg along BulawayoPlumtree Road on Sunday last week at around 5pm.

She said the now deceased Mandlenkosi Tshuma (61) of Nketa 9 in Bulawayo died on Monday while admitted to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH).

“I can confirm that we recorded a fatal road accident which occurred near Figtree area at the 30km peg along Bulawayo-Plumtree Road. Mandlenkosi Tshuma sustained internal injuries and was rushed to the United Bulawayo Hospitals where he died on Monday while admitted.

“As police we urge motorists to adhere to road regulations at all times and for them to exercise caution in order to avoid loss of life. It’s the duty of the motorists to be cautious so as to preserve the lives of their passengers. Drivers should also desist from speeding,” she said.

A source close to the investigations who preferred anonymity said Abednico Sikhuni (63) was driving a Mazda Bongo pick up vehicle with six passengers on board who were going to attend a funeral in Bhazha area in Matobo. He said the vehicle was coming from Plumtree.

The source said Sikhuni, who was suspected to have been speeding, lost control of the vehicle which veered off the road, hit a barbed wire and moved for about 10 metres before coming to a stop.

“Tshuma who was one of the passengers who were sitting in the loading box sustained internal injuries and was rushed to the hospital where he later died on Monday at around 7am,” said the source.

@DubeMatutu