Chingwena fatal accident: Fresh details emerge

FRESH details have emerged over how Croco Holdings Limited shareholder Moses Chingwena on Saturday night ran over and killed a pedestrian Shephard Mukatira.

This comes as another businessman Farai Matsika has distanced himself from the case after some sections of the media used his picture instead of Chingwena’s picture.

In an interview Matsika said he was shocked to see his portrait being used instead of Chingwena.

“I don’t know why media got it wrong and used my picture in a case I am not involved at all. I am tempted to believe it borders on maliciousness that media houses use my photo on an issue I have nothing to do with more so where the accused and myself are waiting for our day in court on a separate issue,” Matsika said.

“I think the media should verify not only facts but also correct images before they publish their stories,” Matsika continued.

Apart from distancing himself from the accident Matsika refused to comment on the Chingwena issue pointing that he has no mandate to do so.

Chingwena knocked down Mukatira along Poland Road in Gletwin in a matter whose details remain sketchy amid claims of a police cover-up.

The Executive Chairman of Croco Holdings Limited, was allegedly drunk and behind the wheel of Jaguar XJL.

Sources also said Chingwena was in the company of his friend identified as Phibion Busangabanye and well known as Zimuto in their circles.

Phibion helped to source for the vehicle from a community funeral palour which then took the body to Parirenyatwa.

From Parirenyatwa the body was transferred to First mutual funeral palour and then to Nyaradzo which then took the body to its final resting place in Mudzi.

With Phibion’s help, Chingwena managed to clear the crime scene without notifying the authorities and as a result the vehicle has not been accounted for up to now.

Chingwena also snubbed the funeral of the deceased, although, through emissaries offered to compensate the grieving family for their loss

“He covered funeral expenses and also offered US$1,000 towards bereavement support payment (chema),” a close family member told Zim Morning Post.

“However, we would have appreciated if he had shown up in person to show he was indeed remorseful. He did not even show up to apologise,” the family member added

Chingwena is alleged to have bypassed accident reporting procedures using the aid of some police officers who are now under investigation for abuse of public office.
It is alleged his friend one Phibion Busangabanye took Chingwena home after the accident.
Zim Morning Post understands the accident vehicle was not impounded by the Vehicle Inspection Department depot in the city but the vehicle remains uncounted for at any of the VID city depots.

Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi told a local publication on Thursday that a comprehensive investigation will be carried out to get to the bottom of the matter.

“I can confirm (Chingwena) was involved in an accident at around 2200hrs on Saturday along Poland Road, Gletwin. Police are currently investigating the case with the view of finding out what transpired,” Nyathi said.

Police sources said while Chingwena’s emissaries had come to an agreement with the deceased’s family, there was need for the matter to be brought before the courts.

Chingwena’s actions come as his integrity is being tested at the High Court where he is battling a long-standing feud with Matsika over the share structure of Croco Holdings, with Matsika seeking a forensic audit and valuation of the company plus payment of full value of his 30 percent shareholding.

Previous driver-pedestrian accidents have seen Afro-jazz musician, Dudu Manhenga, being sent to prison in 2013 after being convicted for negligent driving and causing the death of motorcyclist Graham Martin Millward in 2010.

She was handed an 18-month jail term that was later quashed a year later by Justices Francis Bere and Charles Hungwe, who said the penalty was too harsh.