Church leader crashes toddler to death
. . . Reversing car squeezes life out of kid
A TWO-YEAR-OLD toddler was last Sunday crushed to death by a vehicle which was being driven by The Well International Ministries church leader, Joel Manyange, in the sprawling high-density suburb of Chikanga.
Leon Nyatsungo died upon admission at Mutare Provincial Hospital after sustaining head injuries.
Police said 50-year-old Pastor Manyange was reversing his vehicle and ran over the boy who was playing outside. The incident happened outside Manyange’s residence in Chikanga Phase 2.
Deputy Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Luxson Chananda, confirmed the incident.
“The vehicle, which is owned by Rufaro Bepete, was being driven by Joel Manyange. He reversed the car and stopped after realising that he had run over Leon. The incident happened around 4: 30 pm. Investigations are in progress,” he said.
Leon was laid to rest in Tandakufa in Headlands on Tuesday. The deceased’s family and Manyange are neighbours.
When The Weekender visited Manyange’s residence on Tuesday afternoon, the latter was at a loss of words. The deceased’s family members were still in Tandakufa.
“I was reversing the car and suddenly stopped after hearing people who were making some noise. Some children were playing outside. We realised that the deceased was still breathing. We rushed him to the hospital before we later received a call that he was no more,” he said.
He added: “I am still in a state of shock. I am deeply pained. As church leaders, our mission is to save lives. We sacrifice our lives to save others but losing lives in such circumstances is very unfortunate. I am deeply pained,” said the church leader who struggled to contain himself throughout the interview.”