Kombi driver jailed nine months for fatal accident

Dalyn Chigwizura, Court Reporter
A 34-year-old Bulawayo kombi driver has been sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment for fatally running over a pedestrian.
Meluleki Ncube, of Nketa 8 suburb, was convicted on his own plea of guilty to culpable homicide by Western Commonage magistrate Mr Jeconia Prince Ncube.
Ncube will, however, serve an effective nine months in prison after six months of the sentence were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
In addition to the custodial sentence, the court cancelled his driver’s licence and barred Ncube from driving all classes of motor vehicles for 12 months.
In mitigation, Ncube pleaded with the court not to cancel his licence, saying it was his only source of income.
He told the court he was the family’s breadwinner with minor children and appealed for a non-custodial sentence.
Prosecutor Mr Tafara Dzimbanhete told the court that on March 6, 2026, at around 7.40 PM, Ncube was driving a Toyota Hiace commuter omnibus along Birkenhead Road heading east.
When he approached a section near the Sizinda Hall turn-off, he struck Mr Paul Chivige Fende, who was crossing the road, killing him instantly.