Speeding pastor runs over pedestrian, flees

A 39-year-old speeding pastor from Mwenezi District in Masvingo was arrested for allegedly running over and killing a pedestrian who was trying to cross a road.

Soon after knocking down the pedestrian, he sped off from the scene leaving the man lying on the road in a pool of blood.

Nhamo Chigoni who is pastor of the Baptist Church in Neshuro, Mwenezi, pleaded not guilty to contravening a section of the Criminal Law (Reform and Codification) Act (culpable homicide) when he appeared before Beitbridge provincial resident magistrate Ms Gloria Takundwa.

He was remanded out of custody to 20 August on his own cognisance.

The prosecutor, Mr Reason Mutimba, said on 7 May at about 7.20pm, Chigoni was driving a South African registered Toyota pickup (WXB 925 GP) along the Beitbridge-Masvingo Road heading towards Masvingo.

On approaching the 223km peg, he hit Mutanga Ncube, who was trying to cross the road and he died on the spot. The court heard that instead of stopping, Chigoni fled from the scene leaving Ncube lying in a pool of blood.

He was, however, intercepted by police in Rutenga following a tip-off leading to his arrest.

Chigoni was allegedly speeding.