THE SEVENTH Day Adventist (SDA) pastor in charge of Mazabuka West Mission District has died after a speeding truck rammed into his stationary broken down vehicle in which he was seated yesterday.
Pastor Belden Halwiindi, 60 was in the front seat of his Mazda Pilatus Van after it broke down on the Great North Road at Kaleya Station seven kilometer South of Mazabuka town.
While there, Francis Mseteka of Kafue who was driving a Sino truck misjudged clearance distance or speed and in the process rammed into the Mazda van.
According to Police spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katongo, pastor Halwiindi is believed to have suffered a fractured right leg, a deep cut on the right side of the neck and general body pains due to the impact of the truck.
Katongo explained that pastor Halwiindi was rushed to Mazabuka General Hospital where he later died around 23:40 hours.
Katongo revealed that the 38-year-old truck driver had been charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
A former Youth Director for South Zambia Field from 1990 to 2000, pastor Halwiindi leaves behind a wife, five children and four grandchildren.
His previous work record involves being a District Pastor for Magoye Mission District and Livingstone South Mission District.
“Pastor Halwiindi was calm, humble but very focused spiritual leader. He could not bend on matters of biblical teachings and doctrine of the SDA Church. He ably defended the Bible and teachings of the Church,” Brian Hatyoka, a church elder who worked with the late pastor told #Kalemba.
“He regularly visited homes of church members and encouraged them in the Lord unlike other pastors who don’t usually visit members,” elder Hatyoka added.
