adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A MANGWE businessman based in South Africa has been convicted of culpable homicide after he lost control of his vehicle and rammed into a tree killing a passenger on the spot. The other five passengers among them a five-month-old baby were injured and admitted to Brunapeg Hospital. The incident, in which Victor Mpofu, 22, died, occurred along the Mambale-Khalanyoni road on March 8.
Nkosinathi Maphosa, 39, who owns Maphosa General Dealers in Mayobodo area in Mangwe District, was believed to be drunk when the accident occurred.
Maphosa ditched the vehicle and fled from the scene but was pursued by community members who apprehended him at a nearby bush and handed him over to the police.
Prosecuting, Medica Tshuma said Maphosa picked up passengers while on his way to Mayobodo area and upon nearing Mkayeni Business Centre he lost control of his vehicle.
Maphosa pleaded guilty to culpable homicide when he appeared before Plumtree magistrate Gideon Ruvetsa.
Ruvetsa ordered Maphosa to pay $300 fine or spend 60 days in prison in case of default.
In his defence Maphosa said he ditched the car and his passengers out of confusion as the incident had shocked him.
Online Reporter