News / Local
Negligent driver fined, banned for knocking down a drunk cop
16 Aug 2012 at 08:20hrs | Views
A Bulawayo motorist was on Friday fined $100 or alternatively three months in prison and had his driver's licence endorsed for negligent driving after he knocked down a police detective in the city centre.
Vigiraishe Hove (43) was convicted of negligent driving by Bulawayo magistrate Charity Maphosa despite his plea of not guilty.
He was also ordered to surrender his driver's licence within seven days to the Clerk of Court for endorsement.
Carrington Dhliwayo, for the State, told the court that on June 15 at around 6pm, Hove was driving along Fife Street.
When he reached the intersection of Fife Street and 6th Avenue, he hit Katsuwa, who was trying to cross the road on his way home.
Katsuwa sustained serious injuries on the head and back as a result of the accident.
In his defence, Hove said the complainant, Gregory Katsuwa, also contributed to the accident as he was reportedly drunk and moved into his lane.
"He was missed by another vehicle in the inner lane and he came onto my lane," submitted Hove in court.
"I tried to avoid him, but he was hit by the left side of my vehicle.
"He is partly to blame for the accident as he was drunk and smoking."
However, Maphosa dismissed his evidence and said Hove was driving at an excessive speed which made it difficult for him to react on time.
"You did not keep a proper lookout and failed to react reasonably when an accident seemed imminent.
"That a fatality did not occur does not mitigate your negligence. You are found guilty as charged," ruled Maphosa.
Vigiraishe Hove (43) was convicted of negligent driving by Bulawayo magistrate Charity Maphosa despite his plea of not guilty.
He was also ordered to surrender his driver's licence within seven days to the Clerk of Court for endorsement.
Carrington Dhliwayo, for the State, told the court that on June 15 at around 6pm, Hove was driving along Fife Street.
When he reached the intersection of Fife Street and 6th Avenue, he hit Katsuwa, who was trying to cross the road on his way home.
Katsuwa sustained serious injuries on the head and back as a result of the accident.
In his defence, Hove said the complainant, Gregory Katsuwa, also contributed to the accident as he was reportedly drunk and moved into his lane.
"He was missed by another vehicle in the inner lane and he came onto my lane," submitted Hove in court.
"I tried to avoid him, but he was hit by the left side of my vehicle.
"He is partly to blame for the accident as he was drunk and smoking."
However, Maphosa dismissed his evidence and said Hove was driving at an excessive speed which made it difficult for him to react on time.
"You did not keep a proper lookout and failed to react reasonably when an accident seemed imminent.
"That a fatality did not occur does not mitigate your negligence. You are found guilty as charged," ruled Maphosa.
Source - newsday
