Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
In a push for strict enforcement and severe penalties against dangerous driving and enhance road safety, three errant drivers were jailed last week for reckless driving.
Darlington Mugota of Dzivaresekwa was sentenced to two years and had his licence cancelled by Harare magistrate Apollonia Marutya.
The State represented by Charlotte Chikoore proved that on August 20, Mugota was driving a public service vehicle without a valid driver’s licence required in terms of the Road Traffic Act.
He was driving a Toyota Sprinter with registration number AGL 6430 along Nelson Mandela due West, reversing in a one-way, causing disorder on the road, blocking other drivers.
Mugota was arrested after his vehicle was blocked by another vehicle. The second convict was Kudakwashe Mutukumira of Damofalls, who appeared before the same court charged with reckless driving.
He was sentenced to two years in jail before one year was suspended on condition that he doesn’t commit a similar offence in the next five years. He was also ordered not to drive for the next six months. The State proved that on August 8 Mutukumira, drove a private vehicle, namely a Toyota Toyoace, registration number AGY 1061, on a pavement and hit a pedestrian.
His vehicle also hit a cart, which then hit a Toyota Funcargo, which was parked in a bay. His vehicle hit another parked truck. The State proved that he was driving on the wrong side of the road and failed to keep a proper lookout.
He, according to the State, also failed to stop or act reasonably when a collision seemed imminent and was travelling at an excessive speed under the circumstances.
Oscar Ngonidzashe Mushangazhike also appeared before the same court, charged with driving without a licence and reckless driving.
He was sentenced to 18 months in prison before six months were suspended on condition that he doesn’t commit an offence involving reckless driving in the next five years.
He was also ordered to pay a fine of US$80.
The court heard that on September 9, Mushangazhike was driving a Nissan AD Van, registration number AGG 0940 due West along Kenneth Kaunda Street against oncoming traffic.
The State proved that he was negligent as he failed to keep a proper lookout of the road, driving at excessive speed, against oncoming traffic and without a driver’s licence.
