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Magistrate fined US$400 for causing fatal accident
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Local magistrate Tavengwa Timeon Makunde has been fined US$400 after being convicted of culpable homicide for a road accident that claimed the life of a school pupil. The incident occurred on November 22, 2023, along the Harare-Masvingo Highway.
The court ruled that Makunde acted negligently, leading to the tragic accident. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the child died instantly from severe head injuries.
"The accident occurred in clear daylight on a wide tarred road," the NPA confirmed, highlighting the preventability of the incident.
In a separate case, a CAG bus driver, Thomas Chokuda, has been banned from driving heavy vehicles for two years after being involved in an accident that injured 17 passengers. The crash occurred on September 17, 2024, along the Harare-Chirundu Road.
Chokuda, 49, from Norton, was found guilty of negligent driving by a Karoi magistrate and was sentenced to either a US$300 fine or three months in prison.
The court heard that Chokuda applied emergency brakes to avoid a herd of cattle crossing the road, causing the bus to overturn. The passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries, but no fatalities were reported.
Both cases have reignited discussions on road safety and the accountability of drivers, particularly on major highways in Zimbabwe.
The court ruled that Makunde acted negligently, leading to the tragic accident. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the child died instantly from severe head injuries.
"The accident occurred in clear daylight on a wide tarred road," the NPA confirmed, highlighting the preventability of the incident.
In a separate case, a CAG bus driver, Thomas Chokuda, has been banned from driving heavy vehicles for two years after being involved in an accident that injured 17 passengers. The crash occurred on September 17, 2024, along the Harare-Chirundu Road.
Chokuda, 49, from Norton, was found guilty of negligent driving by a Karoi magistrate and was sentenced to either a US$300 fine or three months in prison.
The court heard that Chokuda applied emergency brakes to avoid a herd of cattle crossing the road, causing the bus to overturn. The passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries, but no fatalities were reported.
Both cases have reignited discussions on road safety and the accountability of drivers, particularly on major highways in Zimbabwe.
Source - newsday
