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Speeding kombi driver jailed over fatal crash
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A 26-year-old kombi driver has been jailed for 10 months after being convicted of culpable homicide following a crash that killed two passengers on the Harare-Mutare highway.
Brendon Boilers Chando of Cleveland Brookside, Harare, was sentenced by a Rusape magistrate to 15 months in prison, with five months suspended for five years.
He was also barred from driving for two years and had his driver's licence cancelled, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said.
The court heard that on September 20, 2025, at about 2pm, Chando was driving a Toyota Hiace carrying 14 passengers when he attempted to overtake at the 138km peg.
While overtaking, he spotted an oncoming vehicle and attempted to avoid a head-on collision.
He subsequently lost control of the kombi, which veered off the road, struck a ditch and landed on its side.
Two passengers died at the scene, while another sustained serious injuries.
The State proved that Chando had been speeding, failed to take reasonable evasive action when a collision appeared imminent and did not keep a proper lookout.
These factors led to his conviction for culpable homicide.
The conviction comes amid a series of fatal crashes and related convictions along the Harare-Mutare highway.
In October 2025, a Chegutu-bound driver was jailed for eight months after swerving off the road and fatally striking a pedestrian near the same route.
A Chitungwiza truck driver was also fined and had his licence cancelled after killing a hitchhiker at the 169km peg in 2022.
The NPAZ reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on reckless driving, saying the criminal justice system had a duty to protect all road users.
The authority warned that motorists whose conduct results in fatalities would face prosecution to the full extent of the law.
Brendon Boilers Chando of Cleveland Brookside, Harare, was sentenced by a Rusape magistrate to 15 months in prison, with five months suspended for five years.
He was also barred from driving for two years and had his driver's licence cancelled, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said.
The court heard that on September 20, 2025, at about 2pm, Chando was driving a Toyota Hiace carrying 14 passengers when he attempted to overtake at the 138km peg.
While overtaking, he spotted an oncoming vehicle and attempted to avoid a head-on collision.
He subsequently lost control of the kombi, which veered off the road, struck a ditch and landed on its side.
Two passengers died at the scene, while another sustained serious injuries.
The State proved that Chando had been speeding, failed to take reasonable evasive action when a collision appeared imminent and did not keep a proper lookout.
These factors led to his conviction for culpable homicide.
The conviction comes amid a series of fatal crashes and related convictions along the Harare-Mutare highway.
In October 2025, a Chegutu-bound driver was jailed for eight months after swerving off the road and fatally striking a pedestrian near the same route.
A Chitungwiza truck driver was also fined and had his licence cancelled after killing a hitchhiker at the 169km peg in 2022.
The NPAZ reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on reckless driving, saying the criminal justice system had a duty to protect all road users.
The authority warned that motorists whose conduct results in fatalities would face prosecution to the full extent of the law.
Source - Newsday
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