Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Mutare Bureau
A 26-YEAR-OLD convict, Blessing Kalatala, tragically collapsed at the Rusape Magistrates Court last week and later died in detention while awaiting sentencing for negligent driving charges.
He had pleaded guilty and was scheduled for sentencing by Magistrate Mrs Babra Mateko.
Katalala had previously been released but was remanded back into custody pending his sentence.
During his court appearance last Friday, he collapsed and was subsequently taken to Rusape Remand Prison, where he died that evening.
Prosecutor Ms Faith Mutukwa provided details of the accident that led to the charges, which occurred last year, when Kalatala turned into the path of an oncoming vehicle, resulting in a collision on October 31, at about 1.30pm.
He was driving a Toyota Hiace, registration number ADU 3535, along the Harare-Mutare Road from Nyazura towards Mutare, with no passengers onboard.
As he approached the 192km peg, he turned right into the path of a Nissan AD Van, registration number AGN 1313, driven by Linah Makufa, who was travelling from Mutare to Harare, with three passengers.
The collision caused injuries to Makufa and her passengers, Estela Salina Sadombo and Lonah Madlayo, who were medically examined afterwards.
Both vehicles sustained significant damage and were inspected by the Vehicle Examination Department.
Ms Mutukwa said the State would contend that Kalatala drove negligently by turning right into the path of an oncoming vehicle, failing to act reasonably when an accident seemed imminent, and travelling at a speed that was excessive under the circumstances.
She highlighted the serious consequences of negligent driving and the importance of road safety.
