Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
A MUTARE magistrate has sentenced a 38-year-old man to two years in jail for driving a loaded kombi while under the influence of alcohol, in a case the court treated as a serious road safety breach.
Shepherd Goza, of Aloe, Dangamvura, was sentenced by magistrate, Ms Perseverance Makala to two years in jail.
Ms Loice Kadenha prosecuted.
Goza faced two counts under the Road Traffic Act (Chapter 13:11).
On the first count, he was charged with contravening Section 6(1)(a) of the Act, in that on September 5, at around 12.30pm, at the Chikanga Rank, along Second Street in Mutare, Goza unlawfully drove a Toyota Hiace, without a valid driver’s licence of the correct class.
On the second count, he was charged with contravening Section 55(2) of the same Act for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or both.
Ms Kadenha said upon driving out of the Chikanga Rank into Second Street, Goza was stopped by the police, and it was discovered that he was driving with a Class BE driver’s licence instead of Class BE CE.
The court heard that Goza is a holder of a valid Zimbabwean driver’s licence in respect of Class BE, number AA00916976.
The court also heard that the investigating officer observed the accused person’s driving conduct and stopped him.
He was smelling of alcohol and was visibly drunk.
Goza was escorted to ZRP Mutare Traffic where a passive test for alcohol was conducted and it tested positive.
The result slip was produced as an exhibit.
