Drunk, unlicensed Honda Fit driver jailed over fatal crash

A MAN who drove while intoxicated and without a valid driver’s licence, causing a crash that claimed the life of his friend, has been sentenced to an effective three years’ imprisonment and banned from driving Class 2 and Class 4 vehicles for six months.

Bulawayo Provincial Resident Magistrate Mr Themba Chimiso also fined the offender US$300. In addition, he was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for driving without a valid driver’s licence, although that sentence was wholly suspended.

Passing sentence, Mr Chimiso said road traffic accidents remained a serious national concern, with many resulting from motorists driving under the influence of alcohol.

“A life was lost due to impaired judgement caused by driving under the influence of alcohol, and such carelessness is deeply worrying. These accidents continue to claim innocent lives, many of them as a result of reckless driving by intoxicated motorists,” he said.

“The Government incurs significant costs as a result of these incidents, many of which are caused by negligent individuals driving without valid licences.
“The courts must send a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated. A deterrent sentence is necessary to discourage would-be offenders.”
In mitigation, the offender, Ncube, pleaded for leniency and apologised to the deceased’s family.

“I am deeply sorry for what happened. I ask the family of the deceased to forgive me, and I plead with the court to be lenient when passing sentence,” he said.

In aggravation, prosecutor Mr Samuel Mpofu argued that the degree of negligence was severe.

“The offender drove without a valid driver’s licence and while under the influence of alcohol. Intoxication impairs judgement and reduces concentration.

“His decision to drive while drunk resulted in a collision that claimed the life of his friend. The State prays for a custodial sentence and an order prohibiting him from driving,” he submitted.

The court heard that the incident occurred on 28 July 2026 at about 5pm. Ncube was driving a Honda Fit with his friend as a passenger after leaving North End suburb.

As he approached the intersection at Robert Mugabe Way, he lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road and struck a tree on the passenger side. The impact caused the front passenger door to cave in.

The passenger, Siphosenkosi Ncube, sustained injuries and was rushed to the United Bulawayo Hospitals, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The vehicle sustained extensive damage to its left side. The matter was reported to the police, leading to the driver’s arrest.

When police requested his driver’s licence, Ncube admitted that he did not possess one. Officers also observed that he appeared to be intoxicated. A breathalyser test conducted using an AT9000 device recorded an alcohol concentration of 85 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of breath, well above the prescribed limit.

The breathalyser certificate was produced in court as an exhibit.