MINEWORKERS Union of Zambia (MUZ) president, Oswell Munyenyembe, yesterday died in a car crash on the Kitwe-Ndola dual carriageway.
He was 59. His driver, Dave Chibuta sustained injuries and is admitted to Wusakile Mine Hospital.
Copperbelt Police Chief, Mary Tembo confirmed the accident in an interview in Kitwe yesterday.
The Toyota Prado registration number ACP 873 overturned at Maposa area as Mr Munyenyembe and his driver were on their way to Kitwe.
“Mr Munyenyembe and his driver Chibuta aged 35, were travelling from Ndola to Kitwe when the vehicle overturned due to over-speeding,” Ms Tembo said.
The accident happened around 13:10 hours and Mr Munyenyembe died on arrival at Wusakile Mine Hospital. Funeral gathering is at 22 Funda Avenue in Mufulira.
Mr Munyenyembe ascended to the MUZ presidency on November 4, last year when he went through unopposed. The elections were conducted after his predecessor, Rayford Mbulu, left the union.
He served as MUZ general secretary prior to his election as president.
MUZ general treasurer Terry Simbeye said it was a tragedy that the union had lost a vibrant leader. He said Mr Munyenyembe served the union for 25 years and had risen through the ranks to become a pillar that he was.
The Government has described Mr Munyenyembe as a good negotiator and a man of great humility. Information, Broadcasting and Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda said he had worked with Mr Munyenyembe and was shocked when he heard of his death.
“It is very sad that the labour fraternity has lost a good trade unionist. He was level headed and a man of humility,” he said.
ZCTU president Leonard Hikaumba said the mother-body had received the death of Mr Munyenyembe with great shock. He said the increasing number of strikes in the mines would have required his services.
“It is a great loss to MUZ, ZCTU and the entire labour movement,” said Mr Hikaumba.
[Times of Zambia]
to bad indeed ,he was a very intelligent man, may his soul rest in intenal peace
Very sad indeed, he could have pumped some sense into his speeding driver, but when time comes it is difficult to run away, maybe he was also in a hurry to get to kitwe for some meetings, it is very very sad for the big man who wanted to see a change in the union.
Very sad indeed.
It’s indeed sad, He was a credible leader and this makes the end of MUZ. Hikaumba and his Secretary General should pave way for fresh leaders we are tired and sick of your failures.This world is not fair it should have taken Hikumba and Mwaba who are not serving any purpose, but it has robbed us of a credible, level headed man. Too BAD!!!!.
Owe, Owe Mayo eee. This is Sad. Muyenyembe Gone. This is a Sad Chapter in the history of Mine Workers Unionism. MUZ should chose a credible leader to take over. Some one fearless to champion workers cause.
Over speeding…i have done this myself…its a sad way to go, could have been avoided-how easily death comes about…lets reflect on our fallen hero and hopefully take this into our lives…i have. May God bring comfort to the family…Romans 8.
Chahenepa mwee
The Police, Road traffic agency and home affairs ministry should post speed limits on Roads and arrest anyone speeding, and pay no regard to the persons status. This shall serve lives and provide monetary resources for the police. Prayersfor his family and let the Lord comfort them.
Sad story indeed. Munyenyembe was my co-worker at Mufulira Copper Mines. I will greatly miss him. MHSRIP. Although this man dies because of the alleged overspeeding, the state of our poorly maintained roads is a cause too. The surfaces of our roads are so uneven and full of mini-potholes. Something must be done about road maintenance. Too sad to learn of such sad news about the hero of Mufulira and Zambia.
MHSRIP. Sad as it is, this is reason Africa will not develop. This Ms Tembo says it was over speeding straight away. Was the driver clocked by some one with a speed camera? Every accident in Zambia is due to over speeding.
The questions I would be asking is what was the state of the road? Was there anything that would have contributed other than the state of the road? Was the driver breathrised? How were the tyres before the accident, brakes and all. You honestly can`t get anwers to these questions less than 24 hours after an accident.
Lets stop rashing to over speeding.
Ba mulowa kuli Vice presido of MUZ , Charles Mukuka………..!!
MHSRIP. Sad as it is, this is reason Africa will not develop. This Ms Tembo says it was over speeding straight away. Was the driver clocked by some one with a speed camera? Every accident in Zambia is due to over speeding.
The questions I would be asking are what was the state of the road? Was there anything that would have contributed other than the state of the road? Was the driver breathrised? How were the tyres before the accident, brakes and all. You honestly can`t get answers to these questions less than 24 hours after an accident.
Lets stop rashing to over speeding. Not every accident is caused by over speeding but hey it`s a scape goat in Africa.
Chance are even the cause of death will not be told. On the death certificate it will simply be-RTA simples!
I bet the road was not even shut. OK over speeding-life goes on!
To Allah do we belong and to him shall we return.
To God we belong!
Baldwin Nkumbula, Paul Tembo, Ronald Penza and that Lusaka Lawyer.
Do you know them?
MHSRIP
too bad, i saw that Prado,it was mushed!Stupid dirver tho…!
#16 You mean Richard Ngenda? I know what you are inferring. They were not ordinary deaths.
Sad news. Condolences to his family. Many deaths in Zambia are due to over speeding on poor state of roads with no speed limits. Ndola-Kitwe highway is normally good. 100KMH should be on this road with 80 & 90 KMH on most sections. Agree, with these accidents, Africa will not develop
Too sad for this man whim I grew to like. Sad that honorable people are dieing leaving us with Hikaumba’s and Mwaba’s of this world with nothing to offer to the emancipation of the Zambian worker.
Bunga excellent posts.
It is sad indeed
MHSRIP
Too bad he won’t even see the cup by Chipolopolo. I think its not overspeeding because a Prado maximum speed one can hit is 130km/h so if a road is in good condition and the car, more especially that it is a dual carriageway their couldnt be any problem apart from state of the road please….
Who said they were overspeeding, any witnesses? Was the car captured on CCTV overspeeding?
@ Floyd Chitalu, as tragic as this accident is, I doubt the the condition of the road is to blame. I drive on Ndola-Kitwe road, it is largely faultless. A proper accident investigation must be carried out. The state of the vehicle must be examined including its service record. The driver’s state of mind must be considered. Has he been having sufficient rest and not watching AFCON late into the night? Was there any alcohol in the driver’s system. The phone record must be examined to be sure he wasnt distracted. Finally the chain of events that led to the accident must be established. All these must be answered. So for the police chief to say the cause of the accident is over speeding is being too presumptious to say the least
In Zambia, we have lost many people due to poor road network and poor traffic laws. Government should addree this important development before we lose the head of state in traffic accident. To those who are constantly on road, please let us avoid over-speeding because it kills. The government should also employ many traffic enforcement officers to work had and brong those wanting to justice. If you are late for an appointment, you can’t pay off by over speeing. Start early so that you arrive early. Road net work must be addressed immediately. Development to the country can only come if roads are in place.
This road has really claimed a lot of lives something needs to be done. May be redo the road in terms of design
Why are we all pretending, there are some sectors who wanted him dead and all this is staged. I doubt that this was just an accident. These are cases like the Tembo witnesses who all perished in an accident from Kabwe. Do not be cheated he has been cleared by those who opposed his stance on Chinese slave handling of miners. Kambwili better be careful with his life and check who is in his car and behind him, power corrupts.