The trial of four Chivero cruise boatmen accused of causing the death of 11 children at Lake Chivero last Christmas is expected to commence next Thursday, four months after the tragic incident.
The four — Latif Aneer (53), Enock Zulu (36), Joseph Abrahams (37) and Fadil Ramon (27) — were supposed to have been tried on March 28, but the trial failed to materialise after their defence lawyers said the State had not yet provided them with the relevant documents regarding the matter.
The four men are being charged with culpable homicide or alternatively contravening Section 57(2) (f) and (g) of the Inland Waters Shipping Act.
Next week, public prosecutor Michael Reza and a selected provincial magistrate are expected to deal with the matter while Aneer and Ramon will be represented by their lawyer, Hamios Mukonoweshuro.
The State alleges on December 25, 2011 at about 18:10hours, the 11 children went for a boat cruise at Lake Chivero where they met Aneer, the owner of the speed boat.
It is alleged the boat had a carrying capacity of six passengers, but Aneer ordered Zulu, an unlicensed boat driver, to drive the boat with all the 11 children on board. It later capsized. The four are out on $500 bail each.
