Marondera accident dead toll rises
Mashonaland East police provincial spokesperson Inspector Simon Chazovachiyi confirmed the death of Mr Malindi.
The number of people who died after two pirate taxis collided head on along Ruzawi Road in Marondera last week has risen to three after the driver of one of the vehicles died in hospital on Wednesday.
Mr Elliot Malindi succumbed to serious injuries he sustained.
On the fateful day, two pupils said to be from Rapid College in Cherutombo, Marondera, died on the spot, while 16 other passengers, including other pupils, got injured and were rushed to hospital.
Mr Malindi was later transferred to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals for further management, but later succumbed to his injuries.
The two pupils who died on the spot were identified as Akisha Madziwa aged 6 and Ashy James aged 13, both from Yellow City in Marondera.
They have since been buried.
Mashonaland East police provincial spokesperson Inspector Simon Chazovachiyi confirmed the death of Mr Malindi.
“He is the one who was driving the Honda Fit heading for Igava,” he said.
“He was ferrying other passengers and his vehicle collided head on with another one which had school children.”
Though the police could not give more details on his death, some sources said he will be buried in Igava, Marondera, possibly over the weekend, soon after the post-mortem procedure was done.
The Herald could not obtain a comment from Mr Malindi’s family, but his colleagues, who are also plying the Marondera-Igava route with their illegal taxis, said they were pained at the lose.
“When we heard of the accident, all drivers here rushed to the scene and assisted in ferrying the injured to the hospital,” said Mr Gift Nyamuguti.
“Elliot was among the injured. We never expected to hear of his death. We wished him well, but God had other plans.
“We worked well with him and he was a peaceful person who worked hard for his family. We will definitely miss him. We will attend his burial which I heard will be held on Saturday (tomorrow).”
Another pirate taxi driver, Mr Luke Mutizwa, said Mr Malindi was always a happy man who loved making jokes with others.
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