Bulawayo woman fined US$300 for ramming into a police vehicle

A Bulawayo woman who rammed into a police car while driving under the influence of alcohol has been sentenced to pay a US$300 fine. Sithandazile Mkhwebu appeared on Tuesday for sentencing before Bulawayo Provincial Magistrate Mr Themba Chimiso facing charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and negligent driving.

For negligent driving, she was sentenced to pay a US$100 fine on or before 30 April, failure to pay will result in a one-month jail term.

For driving under the influence of alcohol, she was fined US$200, also payable on or before 30 April, failure to pay will result in a three-month jail term.

Prosecutor Mr Samuel Mpofu told the court that on 1 April 2026, at around 7.05AM, the accused was driving a Nissan Note (registration number AGD 1837) due north along Fort Street with no passengers on board.

“When she was between 12th and 13th Avenues, she lost control and hit a stationary vehicle. Police officers attended the scene and observed that she was visibly drunk. She was escorted to Mzilikazi Police Station where a Form 221 (Observations: Intoxicated Persons) was completed and attached to the docket,” said Mr Mpofu.

The court heard that later, she was tested on an AT9000 breathalyser by a certified operator. “Results showed that the concentration of alcohol in her blood was 120mg/100ml, which is above the legal limit.

A breathalyser test certificate was produced in court and attached to the docket as evidence. The accused acted unlawfully and endangered lives by driving while intoxicated,” he said.