Two occupants who died after a NetOne vehicle was swept off Chilonga Bridge across Runde River on Saturday were the company’s engineer and an alleged lover.

This is contrary to reports making rounds that both deceased were NetOne workers.

Police spokesperson Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed to The Mirror that one of the deceased was Samson Zvarimwa (48), a NetOne Engineer while the other is a woman who is not employed by the organisation.

The Mirror, through reliable sources has however established that the other passenger was Loice Maradze (40) who was a money changer in Masvingo. Sources said she operated next to Pick and Pay Supermarket.  Zvarimwa worked at NetOne, Balmain Building in Masvingo and stayed in Runyararo North West.

NetOne Spokesperson, Roselyn Chisvetu confirmed the death of Zvarimwa and said that the organisation was going to issue a statement in due course. She however, would not talk about the deceased woman.

Investigations by The Mirror show that the two travelled together from Masvingo for the more than 200km journey to Chiredzi South. The incident happened as they were coming back from Chilonga after filling diesel at a mobile base station there. They used a longer route through Mupapa which is safe from floods on their way to Chilonga but assumed that the water level at the bridge was low on their way back.

The deceased were found trapped inside the car after villagers used a rope to pull the vehicle out of the flooded river yesterday.

Zvarimwa is survived by his wife, Diana and 2 children.

Zvarimwa’s cousin, Senior Zvarimwa said that the decease’s body will be taken for postmortem.

Zvarimwa’s sister Jessie Mandebvu said Zvarimwa will be laid to rest in Jichidza, Nhopi area in Zaka tomorrow. She however, said that she did not know the woman who was in the company of her brother. Mourners are gathered at 24810, Runyararo North-West.

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