Two Brigade solder denied bail after killing 5 girls in Bindura… The woman he was carrying in his car mysteriously disappears

A 51-year-old Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) officer, Washington Timburwa, was denied bail yesterday at the Bindura Magistrates Court following a tragic accident that claimed the lives of five young girls.

Timburwa, stationed at the ZNA’s Two Brigade in Cranborne, faces five counts of culpable homicide. The court heard compelling arguments against his release, focusing on the severity of the crime, potential public unrest, and the risk of witness interference.

The accident occurred on Saturday afternoon at approximately 4 pm near the 90km peg along the Harare-Mukumbura Road. Timburwa, driving a Nissan Primera southbound with a passenger, Nyasha Ngwerume, lost control of his vehicle. The car veered off the road, tragically striking six children walking by the roadside. The immediate impact resulted in the deaths of three girls: Rachel Sinodia Saidi (13), Chipo Chikanda (13), and Ashleigh Mabheka (13). Two more, Makanaka Nemhara (9) and Misiyose Benjamin (14), succumbed to their injuries upon arrival at Bindura hospital.

The devastating consequences extend beyond the immediate loss of life. One survivor, Ashel Mabheka (11), remains in critical condition, fighting for her life in hospital. The passenger in Timburwa’s vehicle, Ngwerume, sustained facial bruises. The sheer number of casualties and the severity of the injuries paint a grim picture of the accident’s impact.

Prosecutor Sheila Maribha strongly opposed Timburwa’s bail application, arguing that his release would seriously compromise the integrity of the justice system. She highlighted the significant risk of witness interference, particularly concerning Nyasha Ngwerume, the passenger in Timburwa’s vehicle.

Ms Maribha stated, “He is highly likely to interfere with witnesses. A key witness, a passenger in his vehicle, was discharged before her statement was recorded. Considering the nature of their “relationship”, accused interference with the witness is highly likely.”

The fact that Ngwerume was discharged from hospital before giving her statement and is now no where to be found further strengthens the prosecution’s concerns.

The investigating officer’s concerns regarding potential public disorder also played a significant role in the magistrate’s decision. The sheer scale of the tragedy and the public’s natural outrage at the loss of five young lives created a heightened risk of unrest should Timburwa be released on bail. The investigating officer’s assessment of the situation clearly influenced the magistrate’s ruling.

Magistrate Maria Msika, in her ruling, considered the gravity of the offence and the potential for public outrage. She determined that releasing Timburwa on bail would be inappropriate given the circumstances.

The magistrate’s decision reflects a careful consideration of the potential consequences, balancing the rights of the accused with the need to maintain public order and ensure the integrity of the ongoing investigation.