Motorist fined US$400 for fatal road accident

Dalyn Chigwizura-Court Writer

A 44-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man who fatally knocked down a pedestrian while the latter was crossing the road was yesterday fined US$400 or one year in prison.

Gabriel Murindagomo was convicted on his own plea of guilty to culpable homicide when he appeared before Western Commonage magistrate, Mr Jeconia Prince Ncube.

He was given until February 20 to pay the fine, failing which he will serve one year in prison. Murindagomo was also ordered to surrender his driver’s licence within seven days.

Prosecuting, Mr Tafara Dzimbanhete told the court that the incident occurred on October 11 at around 7.45PM along Khami Road.

“On the date in question, the accused was driving a black Nissan Hardbody, registration number AAC 8385, heading eastwards along Khami Road with no passengers on board,” he said.

The court heard that upon reaching the Liquid Telecom offices, Murindagomo struck the now deceased, Nyasha Tichaona Mahembe, who was attempting to cross the road.

After the incident, Murindagomo stopped his vehicle a few metres away from the scene.

Mahembe sustained serious head injuries and abdominal bruises and died on the spot.

The body was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals mortuary for a post-mortem examination, while the vehicle was impounded and taken to the Vehicle Inspection Depot (VID) in Bulawayo.