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Man jailed for fatal tractor accident
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A 34-year-old man from Ntalale, Gwanda, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after a woman died when she fell from a moving tractor he was driving.
Large Sibanda pleaded guilty to charges of culpable homicide and driving without a licence when he appeared before Gwanda provincial magistrate Patience Madondo.
The court sentenced him to 12 months in prison, with two months suspended on condition he does not commit a similar offence in the next five years. The remaining 10 months were replaced with 350 hours of community service at Ntalale Primary School.
Gwanda District public prosecutor Shepherd Moyo told the court that on September 14, Sibanda was driving a tractor without a licence. The tractor was pulling a trailer carrying 30 bags of maize, each weighing 50kg, and 15 passengers seated atop the load.
During the journey, one of the passengers, Ketumetsi Ndebele, fell from the trailer and was crushed under the tractor's wheel, dying on the spot.
The police attended the scene, and an investigation led to Sibanda's arrest.
Mr Moyo argued that Sibanda exhibited gross negligence by loading both heavy maize bags and passengers onto the trailer. He also highlighted Sibanda's lack of a valid driver's licence, emphasizing the risks posed by such actions.
In mitigation, Sibanda expressed remorse, explaining that he had stepped in to help the community after being asked by villagers to transport maize they had received under the drought relief programme.
"The driver of the tractor wasn't available, but the vehicle was parked at home. Villagers requested my help to transport their maize to bus stops. I had no intention of causing harm, and I feel deeply sorry for the loss. I also assisted with some of the burial costs," he said, pleading for leniency.
In sentencing Sibanda, the court balanced his remorse and community service with the severity of his negligence, which led to the tragic loss of life.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to road safety regulations to prevent avoidable tragedies.
Large Sibanda pleaded guilty to charges of culpable homicide and driving without a licence when he appeared before Gwanda provincial magistrate Patience Madondo.
The court sentenced him to 12 months in prison, with two months suspended on condition he does not commit a similar offence in the next five years. The remaining 10 months were replaced with 350 hours of community service at Ntalale Primary School.
Gwanda District public prosecutor Shepherd Moyo told the court that on September 14, Sibanda was driving a tractor without a licence. The tractor was pulling a trailer carrying 30 bags of maize, each weighing 50kg, and 15 passengers seated atop the load.
During the journey, one of the passengers, Ketumetsi Ndebele, fell from the trailer and was crushed under the tractor's wheel, dying on the spot.
The police attended the scene, and an investigation led to Sibanda's arrest.
Mr Moyo argued that Sibanda exhibited gross negligence by loading both heavy maize bags and passengers onto the trailer. He also highlighted Sibanda's lack of a valid driver's licence, emphasizing the risks posed by such actions.
In mitigation, Sibanda expressed remorse, explaining that he had stepped in to help the community after being asked by villagers to transport maize they had received under the drought relief programme.
"The driver of the tractor wasn't available, but the vehicle was parked at home. Villagers requested my help to transport their maize to bus stops. I had no intention of causing harm, and I feel deeply sorry for the loss. I also assisted with some of the burial costs," he said, pleading for leniency.
In sentencing Sibanda, the court balanced his remorse and community service with the severity of his negligence, which led to the tragic loss of life.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to road safety regulations to prevent avoidable tragedies.
Source - The Chronicle
