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Zvikomborero Parafini
AFTER spending the last 19 days in custody, prominent car dealer and socialite, Matthew Musengezi, will know his fate today when the magistrate hands down her ruling in his culpable homicide case.
His trial has attracted the attention of the nation because of his huge public profile.
The image of Musengezi, in his khaki prison attire, clearly looking worn down by weeks spent in prison, is in sharp contrast to the smart party boy, who flew around the world wearing Gucci and Giorgio Armani, having the time of his life.
Musengezi has been in custody since June 26 when he initially appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to the offence.
State prosecutor, Charlotte Chikoore, alleged that on August 9, 2021, Musengezi was driving a Range Rover along Samora Machel Avenue inn Harare.
It is the State’s case that he negligently drove his car and side swiped another car, a Toyota Mark X, registration number AFA 6271, along Samora Machel.
The Toyota Mark X veered off the road, spun several times and a passenger, Gregory Zamba, who was sitting on the passenger seat, died on the spot.
After the accident, the State claims that Musengezi failed to stop, failed to report the accident, within 24 hours, ascertain or render assistance and neither did he guard the corpse.
In his defence, Musengezi told the court that the other car swerved into his lane, presumably as a last-gap measure to avoid collision with rubble which was on the street and, without due care, subtly clipped the rear right end part of his vehicle.
Musengezi said he did not change his lane and neither did he change his vehicle’s positional stance and, as such, he was not the cause of the accident which claimed the life of Zamba.
He told the court the accident was caused by the other diver’s excessive speeding.
Musengezi grew up in humble surroundings in Zengeza in Chitungwiza where he excelled, during his school days, as an outstanding marathon runner.
A trip to the United States changed his life dramatically and the Matthew Musengezi, who left to chase his American Dream, and the one who returned home, were two different people.
The Musengezi who returned home was a stylish young man, with a love affair with the latest models of fast cars and wild parties where the most expensive champagne was downed.
When Jay-Z was in town for a concert in the United States, Musengezi would get a ticket and splash it on his social media platforms.
He also proudly showed the public the footprints of the places he visited around the world – whether it was shopping at Gucci, in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand or having a quiet time for himself in a suite at JW Marriot in Dubai.
Online Reporter