adminNo trial for cellphone use while driving — judge
Bulawayo Bureau
THERE is no law that authorises police to refer cases of motorists caught using a mobile phone while driving to court for trial, a High Court judge has said.
In a landmark judgment handed down on his behalf by Justice Lawrence Kamocha in the case of Zaine Babbage, Justice Maphios Cheda yesterday said there is no legal reason why someone who has contravened Section 16B (1) (a) of Statutory Instrument 2999/2002 should be referred to court for sentence for an offence under this section unless the offender is a repeat one or the circumstance under which the offence is committed is aggravated.
Justice Cheda, with Justice Kamocha agreeing, said police are empowered to impose a fine not exceeding US$200 depending on their regulations.
“There is no specific penalty for contravening Section 16B (1) (a) of Statutory Instrument 299/2002 (using a mobile phone while driving but, such penalty is found in the proviso of Section 81 (5) of the Road Traffic Act, Chapter 13:11, which states that no such penalty shall exceed a fine of level 5 or imprisonment for a period of six months or both such fine and such imprisonment,” said the judge.
A level 5 fine is US$200 and the judge noted that it should be reserved for more serious and aggravated cases.
Poison saga deepens
Michael Chideme and Freeman Razemba
POLICE have arrested a manager with a local transport company over the delivery of toxic sodium cyanide
Chombo backs car sales demolition
Municipal Reporter
Local Government, Urban and Rural Development Minister Ignatius Chombo has backed the Harare City Council’s clampdown on illegal car sales. Minister Chombo yesterday described claims by the Zanu-PF
Convicted armed robber bolts
Mutare BureauA convicted armed robber escaped at the Mutare Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday after being escorted by a prison officer outside the courtroom to “give his brother money”. Langson Martin has since
Auditor bares all in Chi-town council case
Court ReporterCHITUNGWIZA Municipality chief internal auditor yesterday said US$280 000 was siphoned from council’s two bank accounts without requisite supporting documents. Mr Takesure Mudiwa was giving evidence in
Botswana official acquitted
Court ReporterThe Deputy Registrar of the High Court of Botswana, who was facing fraud charges for fraudulently auctioning a house belonging to a Harare woman, has been acquitted. Jacob Manzunzu (52) was facing
President to open Zambia’s agric show
Takunda Maodza in Lusaka, Zambia
PRESIDENT Mugabe arrived here yesterday for a three-day State visit during which he will officially open Zambia’s 86th Agricultural and Commercial Show tomorrow.
The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces is being accompanied by the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe; Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi; Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi; Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Joseph Made and senior Government officials.
Zambian president Michael Sata, his deputy, Mr Guy Scott and some senior Zambian Government officials welcomed the President Mugabe at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
The President received a 21-gun salute and inspected a guard of honour on arrival at the airport.
Reports here said the show, which started on Thursday, attracted more than 1 000 foreign and local exhibitors.
The show is an annual event organised by the Agricultural and Commercial Show Society of Zambia.
It provides a platform to showcase Zambia’s products to the world, while giving an opportunity for foreign companies to promote their products in that country.
Zambia and Zimbabwe enjoy cordial relations dating back to the days of the liberation struggle.
In April this year, Zambian President Sata officially opened the 53rd edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo.
Immigration Dept probes city businessman
Crime Reporter
THE Immigration Department is investigating a Harare businessman accused of defrauding several foreigners after issuing them
Ncube under fire
Felex Share Herald Reporter
MDC leader Professor Welshman Ncube has come under fire from political parties and observers for his statements that the Copac management committee referred contentious issues to party
Reading key to skills development: Dokora
Jonathan Mbiriyamveka Herald ReporterIncreasing instructional time and the ability to read are the keys to achieving the goal of learning for all, Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Lazarus Dokora has said. He said reading was