Motorist gets 3 months for killing a 4-year-old

A Nyazura 56-year-old motorist who ran over a four-year-old, killing him on the spot, was yesterday convicted of culpable homicide and fined US$500 or three months in jail.

Kufa had pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Rusape provincial magistrate Mr Taurai Manuwere.

He was sentenced to a three-month jail term, which was wholly suspended on condition he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.

In passing sentence, Mr Manuwere noted that Kufa as a driver had failed to fulfill the duty of care for the safety of others.

"Accused was negligent on one or more of the following; failing to exercise high degree of care called for a driver when seeing children in the road, failing to keep a proper lookout on the road and travelling at an excessive speed," Mr Manuwere said.

Prosecutor Mr Gift Chokodza said on July 21 last year Kufa was driving his Mazda B1800 along Nyazura Road towards Rukweza Business Centre.

At the 180km peg Kufa saw schoolchildren walking on the side of the road.
Among them was young Dylan Motse (4) who tried to cross the road.

He failed to stop his vehicle, struck and killed him.