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truck without an operator’s licence.
In default of the fine, Nyerere will spend another three months in jail.
In addition, Nyerere was banned from driving for life.
Nyerere had denied the charge, blaming the accident on a mechanical fault. But prosecutor Mr Kelvin Mufute had a strong case against Nyerere resulting in his conviction.
Mr Mufute said his negligence led to the death of 18 passengers, while several escaped with serious injuries in the accident that was declared a national disaster.
Apart form the 17 passengers who died on the spot and the other at hospital, 46 other passengers were injured when the truck veered off the road and plunged into a gorge near the 18km peg along the Selbourne-Hauna Road.
Police blamed the driver for the accident, saying he was not supposed to carry 63 passengers on a truck meant to ferry goods.
The passengers, who were seated in the closed loading box, were travelling from Harare to Hauna when Nyerere lost control of the vehicle.
In November last year, police launched a manhunt for more than 3 200 motorists on their wanted list for committing various traffic offences, including culpable homicide.
The wanted motorists were arrested for violating the traffic regulations and released after being issued with Form 265 tickets to pay fines later.
The tickets allow those arrested to pay admission of guilt fines within two weeks before they appear in court depending on the gravity of the offence.
Online Reporter