Staff Reporter
Godlwayo village in Umzingwane district has been left in shock and mourning following the tragic death of a six-year-old Early Childhood Development (ECD) pupil in a road accident on Tuesday morning. What was supposed to be a routine school day took a devastating turn when young Goodwill Tshalibe was fatally crushed by a reversing vehicle.
The incident occurred when Goodwill, on his way to school, jumped off the vehicle to retrieve a hat that had fallen off. According to reports, the hat belonged to his friend, and in a bid to help, Goodwill leaped out of the moving car, only to be tragically run over.
In an interview with this publication, father of the deceased Mr. Messiah Tshalibe struggled to contain his grief as he recounted the heartbreaking moment that claimed his young son’s life.
“I am devastated. My son was going to school, and he jumped off after his friend’s hat was blown off,” said Tshalibe.
The driver, Mr Marcos Siziba, who was behind the wheel during the incident, shared his own anguish over the accident.
“I heard them screaming that a hat had been blown off, and I tried to reverse the car. I didn’t realize that he had jumped off, only to find out that I had run him over. I am in shock,” he said.
The accident has shaken the tight-knit Godlwayo community, with many residents expressing their deep sorrow over the loss of the young life. Parents and school authorities alike are grappling with the tragedy, underscoring the need for increased safety measures for children commuting to school.
In a separate incident on the same day, another pupil was reportedly run over by a vehicle at Habane Township in Esigodini. The details of this case remain unclear, and authorities have yet to confirm the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has yet to release an official statement on both accidents. However, the incidents have once again brought attention to the importance of road safety awareness, particularly for children.
The community is now rallying around the Tshalibe family, offering support as they navigate this painful period. Local leaders and school authorities are also engaging in discussions about enhancing child safety to prevent such accidents from occurring in the future.
The tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the need for vigilance and care on the roads, especially around children. As the community mourns the loss of young Goodwill, there are calls for better education on road safety and a collective effort to protect the most vulnerable members of society.
