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VP accident: Truck driver charged

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POLICE last night said the driver of a truck that was involved in an accident with Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko along Enterprise Road in Harare on Saturday had been charged

POLICE last night said the driver of a truck that was involved in an accident with Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko along Enterprise Road in Harare on Saturday had been charged with “parking or remaining stationary in a dangerous place, failure to secure his load and driving without due care and attention”.

MOSES MATENGA STAFF REPORTER

Mphoko’s official Mercedes-Benz reportedly rammed into the back of the truck which had abruptly stopped in the middle of the road.

The newly-appointed Vice-President escaped unhurt and on Sunday ruled out foul play, describing the accident as genuine.

In a statement, police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba dismissed suggestion that the incident was stage-managed.

Police, however, did not name the truck driver.

“The ZRP (Zimbabwe Republic Police) wishes to set the record straight and that VP Mphoko, his wife and two others in a convoy of five vehicles on December 13 2014 at 1330 hours along Enterprise Road near Forestry Commission in Harare, the VP’s vehicle rammed into a Toyota Hiace truck which was carrying wedding foodstuffs from the back,” the statement read in part.

“The truck suddenly stopped in the middle of the road. One passenger from the Toyota Hiace sustained minor injuries as a result. A report was made at Highlands Police Station and the scene was attended,” Charamba said.

“Drivers are warned not to immediately stop in the middle of the road if they encounter unforeseen situations. We encourage the media to report objectively after sourcing for facts on accidents especially those involving senior government officials.”

Over the weekend, Mphoko said the accident occurred after the truck driver applied emergency brakes after dropping some goods.

This accident comes barely two months after Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vehicle was involved in an accident with a staff bus belonging to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals along Herbert Chitepo Road in Harare.

Political analysts interviewed by our sister paper Southern Eye on Monday said the occurrence of the two accidents raised a stink as they came at the height of Zanu PF internal fights.