Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
Another Harare driver has been jailed for two years and his licence cancelled for causing a fatal accident as the clampdown on reckless driving continues.
Ernest Ringisai Mauna (39) was initially sentenced to 36 months imprisonment before 12 months suspended, leaving him to serve an effective 24 months in prison. Mauna was tried and convicted for culpable homicide by a Harare Magistrates’ Court.
On April 14, 2025, Mauna was driving a Nissan Hardbody along Harare Drive in Borrowdale while speeding and failed to maintain a safe following distance and rammed into a Toyota Wish in front of him, causing a pile-up that involved several vehicles including a Nissan Sunny, a Powerstar heavy truck and a Honda Fit.
The impact resulted in the Nissan Sunny encroaching into the lane of oncoming traffic and colliding head-on with the Powerstar truck.
Tragically, Andrew Makuwaza (53), a passenger in the Nissan Sunny, died on the spot.
Investigations confirmed that Mauna had been driving negligently at excessive speed and failed to act when the accident became imminent.
In addition to the jail term, the court ordered the cancellation of Mauna’s driver’s licence in respect of classes 2, 4, and 5 effectively barring him from driving heavy and light motor vehicles.
In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority said, “Drivers are urged to exercise caution, patience and responsibility on the roads; reckless driving costs lives. The law will not spare offenders who put others in danger.”
Recently, another Harare magistrate jailed Ruzvidzo Freedom (32) of Hatcliffe for two years for reckless driving after he was caught driving against oncoming traffic at the busy Sam Nujoma Street (Second Street) and Upper East Road intersection.
In a related case, the Chipinge Magistrates’ Court has convicted and fined Dumisani Mtetwa, aged 28, for negligent driving following a serious road traffic accident which occurred along the Birchenough Bridge-Mt Selinda Road.
On January 6, 2025, at around 7:30 am, Mtetwa, who was driving a Nissan Sunny, emerged from a dust feeder road at the K2 bus stop (59km peg) without giving way to oncoming traffic.
His car collided with a Dutro truck driven by Noah Singizi.
The impact caused the truck driver to lose control, hitting three pedestrians who sustained serious injuries, before the truck overturned and landed on its side.
Four passengers inside the truck suffered minor injuries. Both vehicles were damaged: the Nissan Sunny had frontal and door deformation, while the Dutro truck had its windscreen shattered, side mirror damaged and rear light broken.
Instead of assisting, Mtetwa drove away from the scene before fleeing on foot after abandoning his car.
He later appeared in court and pleaded guilty. He was fined US$300 or three months in prison.
He was banned from driving for six months and ordered to surrender his driver’s licence within seven days.
