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(ZIMBABWE GUARDIAN) Biti faces negligent driving charges

Biti faces negligent driving charges
By: Zim Independent-tzg
Posted: Monday, March 29, 2010 3:23 pm

FINANCE minister Tendai Biti who survived a horrific accident on Tuesday evening could be charged with negligent driving amid reports that preliminary police investigations show that he was to blame for the crash.

Sources close to the investigations told the Zimbabwe Independent yesterday that the preliminary probe showed that Biti's vehicle could have encroached into the lane of the on-coming truck.

Police national spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena, yesterday said the police would not disclose their investigation to the media "just yet".

Pressed to say how the public would get to know the circumstances surrounding the accident given that it involved a public figure, Bvudzijena said that would depend on the outcome of the investigations.

"It will depend (on the outcome). If there is anyone to be prosecuted over the cause of the accident, then it may go to the courts and the public will know," Bvudzijena said.

Biti was driving his 4X4 Toyota Hilux Vigo Twin-cab when it was sideswiped by a trailer of a haulage truck at the 99km-peg along the Harare-Bulawayo road.

The impact spun the car, turning it to face where it was coming from before it landed in a ditch. The vehicle is a complete write-off.

The truck belonged to Miclak Transport of Chegutu and was being driven by Knowledge Gavaza.

The driver escaped unscathed.

Gavaza spent Tuesday night in police cells before being released on Wednesday after police said it was still inconclusive that he had caused the accident.

Police traffic evaluators were yesterday still gathering evidence from the scene of the accident and our source said they had collected samples of skid marks and the road surface.

"Every detail, no matter how minute, is needed to establish or disprove any suspected attempt on the minister's life," a source said.

"The samples have been taken to Harare where forensic tests will be carried out. Initial findings however indicate the minister could face charges of negligent driving. It appears his car encroached into the lane of the haulage truck."

Biti emerged from the accident without any visible injuries but MDC-T party spokesperson Nelson Chamisa was quoted as saying the Finance minister was complaining of chest pains.

An official from the MDC security department said they would not rely on police investigations alone but would carry out their own probe.

Zim Independent-tzg

Labels: CAR ACCIDENTS, TENDAI BITI, WAYNE BVUDZIJENA

posted by MrK @ 11:34 PM