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The Rhodesia Herald, 21 November, 1962
A BEATRICE farmer, Alwyn Cedric Drewe, ran down an African pedestrian on the evening of July 5 and drove on, flew to Britain on holiday the following day and reported the accident to the police on his return two months later, it was said in evidence in Salisbury Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The African died with a smashed pelvis, a broken neck and a broken arm.
Drewe pleaded not guilty before Mr J.E.T. Hamilton to a charge of culpable homicide and an alternative charge of reckless or negligent driving. He also denied two charges under the Roads and Road Traffic Act, namely failing to stop to render assistance and failing to report an accident.
The charges arise from a collision at the seven-mile peg on the Beatrice Road involving a car driven by Drewe and the African, Takuradidzo, at about 7.20pm on July 5.
Inspector K.B.J. Clark of the BSAP stationed at Beatrice, told the court that he returned to his office at about 3.45pm on September 13 to find Drewe waiting for him.
The farmer made a report to him and he was warned and cautioned and asked to make a statement which he did.
Drewe said he did not report the matter to the police because he did not consider it necessary to report a “minor incident”.
Drewe said that while in Britain he received a letter from his farm manager, Mr A.S. Burbeck to the effect that an African had died after being run down on the Beatrice Road at about the time he had been travelling home.
He wrote back instructing that the car should not be repaired. Immediately on his return, he reported to Inspector Clark at Beatrice charge office.
The prosecutor, Mr J.K. Findlay, asked: “Do you accept now, having heard the evidence, that you hit this African and not just his bundle?”
“No. I still maintain it was the bundle only,” said Drewe.
“Your explanation is that he was spun around and flung to the ground where the wounds were inflicted?”
“Yes”. “What was your reaction immediately after the impact,” asked the magistrate? “I slowed down.”
“Did you go so far as to apply the brakes?” “I cannot remember.”
Drewe said his conviction that he had hit only the bundle had been borne out the following morning when there was no mention in the newspaper of an accident on the Beatrice Road.
“Were you looking for such a report?”
“No. I was reading it thoroughly because I had nothing better to do.”
“If you had read that someone had been killed, would it have rung a bell?”
“I would have taken steps to report to the police”, Drewe said.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
The case raises significant legal questions regarding responsibility and accountability in vehicular accidents. Failing to stop after an accident – especially one resulting in serious injury or death – can lead to severe legal consequences. This includes charges such as hit-and-run or vehicular manslaughter.
Drewe’s delay in reporting the accident adds another layer of complexity. Authorities typically expect immediate reporting of accidents involving injuries or fatalities. The two-month gap raises questions about his motives and whether he sought legal counsel before making any statements to law enforcement.
The fact that Drewe left the country immediately after the incident could be interpreted as an attempt to evade responsibility and shows how racist Southern Rhodesia was.
The injuries described are critical and often fatal. A smashed pelvis can lead to severe internal bleeding and complications related to organ damage.
Online Reporter