Harare police are investigating a case of driving under the influence of alcohol after a drunk truck ploughed into the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha on Tuesday evening.
According to authorities, an adult male allegedly lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the clinic’s operating theatre wall on Govan Mbeki Road at about 18:00 on Tuesday.
The City’s Law Enforcement officers arrested the suspect at the scene. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
The crash reportedly left the clinic’s operating theatre in ruins, while its storage room was completely flattened. According to the clinic, the damage is extensive, and management says the entire theatre will have to be rebuilt.
“This is damage of an enormous scale – damage we could never have budgeted or prepared for,” says Marcelle du Plessis, Fundraising and Communications Executive.
In a statement, du Plessis added that while the staff is devastated, they are also grateful that no animals or staff were harmed.
The accident came just a day after another vehicle reportedly drove into the clinic’s fence, adding to the facility’s misfortunes.
Despite the devastation, the Mdzananda team has pledged to continue its work, treating animals and delivering services, although operations are expected to be severely hampered until repairs are completed.
In response, the clinic has launched an emergency fundraising appeal to rebuild the theatre and restore its ability to function fully. Members of the public are urged to assist by making donations.
“Every contribution, no matter the size, will help us recover from this disaster,” added du Plessis
The police have, however, urged anyone with any information about this incident to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.
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