By JOHN SAKALA
Five people have died on the spot while three others sustained serious injuries when the vehicle they were in had breaks failure thereby hitting into the rear of another truck.
Involved was Lawrence Mweene 28, of Highlanders in Mazabuka who was driving a Higher Light Truck registration number BAB 233B from west to eastern direction with nine passengers on top of bags of sweet potatoes.
Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo said the accident happened when the Truck had suspected break failure as it was descending the hill.
Ms Katongo said the truck eventually hit into a Volvo Truck registration number CYN 483L which was being driven by Rodgers Mutinta 42, of Duban, South Africa who driving in the same direction.
“Later the Higher Light Truck overturned throwing people who were on top of the load under the Volvo truck. The accident happened yesterday June 28, 2020 at 16:30 hours along Chirundu – Kafue road at Kapilingozi Hills.
“The injured passengers are admitted to Mtendere Mission Hospital in Chirundu while the bodies of the deceased are in the same hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem,” she said.
In another incident, a pedestrian died on arrival at UTH while another person sustained injuries in an accident which happened yesterday June 28, 2020 at 06:00 hours on Kamloops road in Lusaka’s Kalingalinga Compound.
Ms Katongo said the accident happened when the driver lost control of the motor vehicle and hit the man who was off the road.
“Involved was a Toyota Allex registration number ALV 717 moving from north to south and also a pedestrian David Tembo 47, of Kalingalinga Compound, now the deceased.
“The body of the deceased is UTH mortuary awaiting postmortem,” she said.
Meanwhile, Police in Lusaka have observed an increase in the number of female persons being attacked by criminals after hiking motor vehicles on great north road between Heroes stadium and SOS.
In the past one month, police have recorded five cases of aggravated Assault in which all victims are female discovered in unconscious state with head injuries, dumped in Kabangwe area.
Ms Katongo said the recent attack involved a as Sharon Lufino who was attacked yesterday, June 28, 2020 at 19:00 hours and dumped off Ngwerere road.
She said the victim is said to have hiked a vehicle at SOS with a view of going to 15 miles but was later found with deep head injuries and was in an unconscious state.
“Police have instituted investigations in all cases recorded and wish to advise members of the public to desist from hiking vehicles especially at heroes Stadium and SOS as this has proven to be unsafe.
“Hiking vehicles not prescribed as public transport puts lives of unsuspecting members of the public at risk. We therefore urge the public to always get on public transport motor vehicles from designated bus stations and bus stops so as not to fall prey to criminals,” she said.
