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Drunk-driving farmer convicted of ramming into MP's car
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A 42-year-old farmer from Zvimba has been sentenced to community service after being convicted of negligent driving and driving under the influence of alcohol following a road accident involving Zvimba East legislator Mercy Dinha.
Zebediah Chigodora appeared before Norton magistrate Christine Nyandoro, where he pleaded guilty to both charges.
The court sentenced him to 210 hours of community service and imposed a US$200 fine, with a default sentence of 30 days' imprisonment if the fine is not paid.
He was also prohibited from driving any motor vehicle for six months.
Prosecutor Flossie Chigudu represented the State.
The court heard that on June 29, Chigodora was driving a white Mazda Bongo along the Chegutu-Chinhoyi Highway when he crashed into a stationary Toyota Land Cruiser VX occupied by MP Mercy Dinha and her husband, Martin Dinha.
Following the accident, police administered a breathalyser test, which showed that Chigodora had a blood alcohol concentration of 252 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of blood, well above the legal limit of 150 milligrammes.
The State argued that the level of alcohol in his system significantly impaired his ability to safely control the vehicle.
In delivering judgment, Magistrate Nyandoro described the offender's conduct as serious.
"The degree of negligence exhibited by the offender is serious, as evidenced by his decision to drive with a blood alcohol concentration substantially above the legal limit," she said.
"This level of impairment demonstrates a clear disregard for the safety of other road users."
The court noted that the collision resulted in injuries to MP Dinha and had the potential to cause far more serious or even fatal consequences.
According to the victim impact assessment, Martin Dinha did not sustain serious injuries during the accident.
MP Dinha, however, complained of pain on her left side and was receiving medical treatment following the collision.
The court also heard that Chigodora's family had approached the legislator seeking leniency on his behalf.
While acknowledging the request, Magistrate Nyandoro noted that no medical reports had been produced to substantiate the extent of the injuries claimed.
"The absence of medical proof is a relevant factor in assessing the overall gravity of harm caused by the offence," she said.
Despite imposing a non-custodial sentence, the magistrate stressed that offences involving driving under the influence of alcohol remain serious and require penalties that discourage similar conduct.
She said motorists who choose to drive while intoxicated pose a significant danger to the public and must be held accountable for their actions.
Zebediah Chigodora appeared before Norton magistrate Christine Nyandoro, where he pleaded guilty to both charges.
The court sentenced him to 210 hours of community service and imposed a US$200 fine, with a default sentence of 30 days' imprisonment if the fine is not paid.
He was also prohibited from driving any motor vehicle for six months.
Prosecutor Flossie Chigudu represented the State.
The court heard that on June 29, Chigodora was driving a white Mazda Bongo along the Chegutu-Chinhoyi Highway when he crashed into a stationary Toyota Land Cruiser VX occupied by MP Mercy Dinha and her husband, Martin Dinha.
Following the accident, police administered a breathalyser test, which showed that Chigodora had a blood alcohol concentration of 252 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of blood, well above the legal limit of 150 milligrammes.
The State argued that the level of alcohol in his system significantly impaired his ability to safely control the vehicle.
In delivering judgment, Magistrate Nyandoro described the offender's conduct as serious.
"The degree of negligence exhibited by the offender is serious, as evidenced by his decision to drive with a blood alcohol concentration substantially above the legal limit," she said.
"This level of impairment demonstrates a clear disregard for the safety of other road users."
The court noted that the collision resulted in injuries to MP Dinha and had the potential to cause far more serious or even fatal consequences.
According to the victim impact assessment, Martin Dinha did not sustain serious injuries during the accident.
MP Dinha, however, complained of pain on her left side and was receiving medical treatment following the collision.
The court also heard that Chigodora's family had approached the legislator seeking leniency on his behalf.
While acknowledging the request, Magistrate Nyandoro noted that no medical reports had been produced to substantiate the extent of the injuries claimed.
"The absence of medical proof is a relevant factor in assessing the overall gravity of harm caused by the offence," she said.
Despite imposing a non-custodial sentence, the magistrate stressed that offences involving driving under the influence of alcohol remain serious and require penalties that discourage similar conduct.
She said motorists who choose to drive while intoxicated pose a significant danger to the public and must be held accountable for their actions.
Source - The Herald
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