Drunk bus driver’s appeal dismissed

A Bulawayo‑based bus driver who was jailed for driving while under the influence of alcohol has had his appeal dismissed by the High Court.


Marova Newton (46) was sentenced to 12 months in prison and banned from driving by a magistrates’ court after police detected alcohol in his blood while he was behind the wheel of a passenger bus.

Newton approached the High Court seeking bail pending appeal, represented by his lawyer Joshua Nembaware of T Hara and Partners. However, Justice Nokuthula Moyo dismissed the application, ruling that Newton had driven with a high concentration of alcohol in his system and therefore could not escape the mandatory sentence.

Prosecutor Kudakwashe Jaravaza told the court that on 19 June, Newton was driving an AVM bus carrying 50 passengers when police stopped him at the 39‑kilometre peg along the Bulawayo–Solusi Road. A breathalyser test was conducted, and he tested positive for alcohol.

The ruling reinforces ongoing discussions around road safety enforcement and drunk‑driving penalties.