Fatal bridal party accident driver jailed 2 years

Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
THE Kenyan driver who drove his truck recklessly at the notorious Mufusire Uphill in Headlands, encroaching into the opposite lane, and causing a collision with a Nissan Note, killing three members of a bridal party on the spot, has been convicted of culpable homicide and jailed for two years.
Ibrahim Albashire Adanw initially pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared before Rusape magistrate, Mrs Barbara Mateko, but before she could pass the sentence, he engaged a legal practitioner, Mr Tendai Bvuma of Bvuma and Associates.
Mr Bvuma applied to change his plea to not guilty, claiming that Adanw had not made an informed decision when entering the plea, prompting the application for its withdrawal.
The sudden reversal provoked outrage and disbelief among the victims’ families, who continue to grapple with the devastating loss of their loved ones.
The deceased, Ngonidzashe Gift Simango (25) of Nyangani Park, was travelling to Ruwa to meet his fiancée’s family for a traditional bride price (roora) ceremony. He was accompanied by his church deacon, Taurai Kaseke (30), his best friend, Ngoni Mutsoka (28), and his sister, Caroline (22).
Their journey ended in tragedy when the Mozambican-registered haulage truck veered into their lane and collided head-on with their Nissan Note.
Simango, Kaseke, and Mutsoka died instantly, while Caroline sustained severe injuries as the car crumpled beneath the heavy truck.
The accident happened on December 23.
Adanw had earlier shown remorse to the families, and his company assisted in the burial of the victims.
Prosecutor, Ms Faith Mutukwa opposed the application, arguing that the initial plea was properly taken and voluntarily recorded, and Adanw had admitted to essential elements.
Mrs Mateko ruled in favour of Adanw, and allowed the case to go to a full trial, where she convicted him of culpable homicide, and sentenced him to 24 months in jail.
Ms Mutukwa told the court that Adanw caused the accident by overtaking in front of an oncoming vehicle and travelling at an excessive speed.
“On December 23, at around 8am, the accused was driving a white Benz truck (AGI 288 MP) towards Mutare with no passengers on board. Upon approaching the 120 km peg, he encroached on the opposite lane, resulting in a head on collision with a Nissan Note (ACH 0831) driven by Simango, with three passengers on board. Simango and two passengers, Taurai Kaseke and Ngoni Mutsoka, died on the spot.
“Post-mortem reports attributed their deaths to serious head injuries. Both vehicles sustained serious damages. Adanw was negligent in overtaking in-front of an oncoming vehicle, travelling at excessive speed, failing to act when an accident seemed imminent and failing to keep a proper lookout,” she said.