News / National
Kombi driver in court after running over 4-yr-old
26 Apr 2014 at 03:20hrs | Views
A policeman escorts the commuter omnibus driver who knocked down and killed a four-year-old boy into the Harare Magistrates Courts yesterday. — Picture by Innocent Makawa
The commuter omnibus driver who ran over a four-year-old boy while fleeing police in Harare city centre on Tuesday, appeared in court yesterday facing culpable homicide charges.
Lloyd Kusotera (28) appeared before Harare provincial magistrate Mr Douglas Chikwewe facing an additional charge of contravening the Road Traffic Regulations Act.
Represented by his lawyer Mr Tawanda Takaendesa, Kusotera raised complaints against the police.
"The police recorded Kusotera's warned and questioned statement under duress," said Mr Takaendesa.
"He was made to admit to the allegation in exchange of a lighter sentence in the form of a fine."
Applying for bail for the accused Mr Takaendesa submitted that although he was facing a serious offence which resulted in the death of the minor, Tanatswa Neil Mutyora, Kusotera did not flee.
Prosecutor Ms Francesca Mukumbiri opposed bail indicating that Kusotera was a flight risk.
"The degree of negligence and recklessness was high and accused is likely to run away," she said.
Mr Chikwekwe remanded Kusotera in custody to Monday for bail ruling.
Ms Mukumbiri told the court that Kusotera of Zengeza 5 in Chitungwiza was employed as a commuter omnibus driver by Jinga Tours. It is alleged that on Tuesday at around 5pm Kusotera was driving a white Toyota Hiace registration number ACQ7293 and was picking up passengers at an undesignated pick-up point.
In an attempt to evade police officers, Kusotera allegedly drove against a one way and hit Tanatswa who later died on admission at the Avenues Clinic.
Meanwhile, police yesterday said most officers had complied with the ultimatum to stop running commuter omnibus businesses.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed that most of the officers met the March 29 deadline to quit the kombi business.
The ultimatum was made by Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri after it was realised that half of the commuter omnibuses operating in Harare were owned by police officers.
This resulted in drivers flouting road rules without being arrested.
Lloyd Kusotera (28) appeared before Harare provincial magistrate Mr Douglas Chikwewe facing an additional charge of contravening the Road Traffic Regulations Act.
Represented by his lawyer Mr Tawanda Takaendesa, Kusotera raised complaints against the police.
"The police recorded Kusotera's warned and questioned statement under duress," said Mr Takaendesa.
"He was made to admit to the allegation in exchange of a lighter sentence in the form of a fine."
Applying for bail for the accused Mr Takaendesa submitted that although he was facing a serious offence which resulted in the death of the minor, Tanatswa Neil Mutyora, Kusotera did not flee.
Prosecutor Ms Francesca Mukumbiri opposed bail indicating that Kusotera was a flight risk.
"The degree of negligence and recklessness was high and accused is likely to run away," she said.
Mr Chikwekwe remanded Kusotera in custody to Monday for bail ruling.
Ms Mukumbiri told the court that Kusotera of Zengeza 5 in Chitungwiza was employed as a commuter omnibus driver by Jinga Tours. It is alleged that on Tuesday at around 5pm Kusotera was driving a white Toyota Hiace registration number ACQ7293 and was picking up passengers at an undesignated pick-up point.
In an attempt to evade police officers, Kusotera allegedly drove against a one way and hit Tanatswa who later died on admission at the Avenues Clinic.
Meanwhile, police yesterday said most officers had complied with the ultimatum to stop running commuter omnibus businesses.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed that most of the officers met the March 29 deadline to quit the kombi business.
The ultimatum was made by Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri after it was realised that half of the commuter omnibuses operating in Harare were owned by police officers.
This resulted in drivers flouting road rules without being arrested.
Source - Herald
