A Harare man has been sentenced to prison on charges of culpable homicide after he drove without a licence and killed a child in an accident.
A 27-year-old Harare man, Tinashe Macheka, has been brought before the Harare Magistrates’ Court on charges of culpable homicide. The charges stem from a devastating car accident that occurred on October 27, 2024.
Details of the Accident
According to court proceedings, Macheka was driving a Honda Fit on the fateful day without holding a valid driver’s license. The vehicle reportedly veered out of control near Stable Club along Mazowe Road, leading to a tragic outcome.
The car overturned during the incident, resulting in the immediate death of four-year-old Julia Tendai Mundandi. It was later revealed that Macheka had taken control of the vehicle without proper authorization.
Negligence Factors Highlighted in Court
The court highlighted several key points of negligence on the part of the accused:
- Failure to maintain proper control of the vehicle: The driver could not handle the vehicle appropriately, which led to the accident.
- Lack of adequate attention to the road: Macheka did not exercise proper vigilance while driving, increasing the risk of an accident.
- Failure to take reasonable action: The driver did not act promptly to avoid the collision, even when it became evident that a crash was imminent.
Legal Outcome and Sentencing
During the court hearing, Tinashe Macheka pleaded guilty to the charges of culpable homicide. In light of his admission, the magistrate sentenced him to 36 months in prison. However, 12 months of the sentence were suspended because he did not commit a similar offence within the next five years. This means Macheka will effectively serve 24 months in custody.
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