Grace Mugabe's son fined $800 for manslaughter

A Harare magistrate has fined Russsel Goreraza $800 after he pleaded guilty to a charge of culpable homicide which occurred in February this year in the capital.

Goreraza, 31, was charged for contravening Section 49 (a) of the Criminal Law and Codification Reform Act Chapter 9:23.

The offence arises from an incident which occurred on the 23rd of February this year along Samora Machel Avenue in Harare, in which Goreraza was driving a BMW vehicle registration number ACO 0266 when he unlawfully caused the death of an unknown person through negligent driving.

Goreraza is a licensed driver.

A remorseful Goreraza appeared before Douglas Vakai Chikwekwe and pleaded guilty to the charge.

He admitted to driving at an excessive speed, failing to keep a proper look out and to negligently causing the death of a person.

Asked whether he had any defence to proffer to the court for his negligent conduct, Goreraza said, "Your Worship, I sincerely regret it."

He added that he had tried to get in touch with the deceased's relatives or family, but failed as the people who claimed to know the deceased did not know where he came from.

State prosecutor Ms Venancia Matake in aggravation told the court that the crime committed by the accused is a serious offence which resulted in the loss of innocent human life and could have been avoided if Goreraza had exercised extreme caution considering the road he was driving along.

She urged the court to exercise its discretion in giving the accused a fitting punishment.

Magistrate Chikwekwe said road carnages are on the increase due to cases of negligence.

He ruled that the accused was a first offender who was not grossly negligent in the circumstances, and had shown contrition and remorse for his conduct.