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Yeukai Karengezeka Herald Correspondent
Chitungwiza Municipality worker Darlington Mungoni died on the spot yesterday morning after being hit by a council refuse truck in Ward 13 during the course of his duties. Sources said the incident occurred around 6am when the truck was reversing.

“What happened is that council workers were collecting bins in Zengeza 4 and they had finished collecting in this particular street when this worker noticed that a woman was rushing towards them with her bin,” said a source.

“So, he took the bin and tried to hurl it inside the truck when the bin bounced back on him. While he was trying to pick it up, he was hit by the vehicle which was now reversing. He was hit by the rear wheels of the vehicle.”

Chitungwiza Municipality public relations officer Mr Lovemore Meya described the incident as  “unfortunate”.

“It is true that we encountered such a tragic incident,” he said.

“It happened around 6.15am today (yesterday) while the two were on duty collecting refuse.”

Mr Meya said council would meet the funeral expenses, but going forward, it will put mitigatory measures to avoid similar incidences.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident.

“Yes, I can confirm the unfortunate accident that took place in Chitungwiza this morning (yesterday) where one person died on the spot and investigations are underway,” he said.

Chitungwiza Residents’ Trust (Chitrest) director Ms Alice Kuveya said: “As Chitrest we are very sorry about what happened, but we have complained several times that the refuse team should stop collecting bins when it is still dark.

“We are very angry and we are going to make sure that whoever gave them the directive to start work at that hour is also brought to book. We once heard Town Clerk Mr George Makunde giving a directive that refuse trucks should start moving around at 6am.”