Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura, Court Reporter
A 19-YEAR-OLD man from Bulawayo has been sentenced to an additional 24 months in prison following a fatal road accident that claimed the life of a Zimpapers staff member earlier this month.
Melusi Nkomo, of Nketa 6 suburb, pleaded guilty to charges of culpable homicide and driving without a valid licence. He appeared before Western Commonage magistrate, Archie Wochiwunga, who handed down the sentence yesterday.
This comes just two weeks after Nkomo and his accomplice, Shelton Dube (19) of Nkulumane suburb, were each sentenced to six months in prison for stealing the vehicle involved in the accident. Three months of that sentence were suspended for three years on condition they do not commit a similar offence during that period, meaning both will serve an effective three months for the theft.
For the culpable homicide charge, Nkomo was sentenced to 24 months in prison, with 12 months suspended for five years on condition he does not commit a similar offence. Should he reoffend, he will be sentenced without the option of a fine. On the second count — driving without a valid licence — he received a further two-month sentence.
Both sentences will run concurrently, meaning Nkomo will serve an effective one year and five months behind bars.
Prosecuting, Audrey Kufandikanwe told the court that the incident occurred on August 3, 2025 at around 3.30am. Nkomo was driving a Toyota Hilux, registration number MH41YVGP, heading west along Luveve Road with eight passengers on board.
As he approached the area near Marondera Poly Clinic, commonly known as Emachipsini, Nkomo veered into the lane of oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a motorcycle ridden by Chronicle staffer, Silas Bhunu. Bhunu was travelling east on his SKM motorcycle, registration number AGR 7851.
“As a result of the accident, Bhunu sustained serious head injuries and multiple fractures, and he died on the spot,” said Kufandikanwe.
No passengers in Nkomo’s vehicle were injured. Bhunu’s body was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals mortuary, while both vehicles were sent to the Vehicle Inspection Department for assessment.
Kufandikanwe further stated that at the time of the accident, Nkomo was driving without a valid licence.
“On the same date and time along Luveve Road at Marondera Poly Clinic (Emachipsini), Nkomo drove the motor vehicle, a
Toyota Hilux registration number MH41YVGP, without a valid driver’s licence and was involved in a fatal road traffic accident,” she said.
These sentences are so light it feels like a joke. How does this country intends to curb crime when they give such leniency to serious crimes that rob someone of his life? Does our justice system even consider the long term consequences of such crimes? Does it know such crimes create innocent victims for years to come? These kind of sentences do not deter people from perpetuating their criminal activities. These guys are still young and in our African culture, one must shape the iron while it’s still hot or alternatively a branch must be bent when it’s still young. It’s the best time to punish these boys severely to show them that crime doesn’t pay.