Moffat Mungazi
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
A CHIPINGE man was handed a seven-month prison sentence for reckless driving, which led to a horrific crash involving two vehicles, and ultimately resulted in three children being injured.
Thompson Mavhaise (43), was, however, given the option to pay a US$300 fine by Chipinge magistrate, Mrs Catherine Dzivanyika.
Mavhaise was last week convicted on his own plea of guilty plea to negligent driving as defined under Section 52(2) of the Road Traffic Act (Chapter 13:11).
The magistrate had initially sentenced Mavhaise to seven months’ imprisonment, four of which were suspended on the usual conditions.
The remaining three months were also suspended on condition that he pays the fine.
Ms Pamela Mufudza prosecuted.
“On March 22, Mavhaise was travelling along Birchenough Bridge-Mount Selinda Road towards Mount Selinda with four passengers on board. On approaching the 63 kilometre peg, Mavhaise lost control of the vehicle and collided with a parked Honda Airwave on the left side of the road. The impact caused the Honda Airwave to swerve and strike three children who were selling tomatoes by the roadside.
“One child fell onto the tarred road, while the other two fell to the far left side. The Nissan UD80 which the offender was driving struck the rear of a Honda Fit that was travelling in the same direction,” said Ms Mufudza.
The three children sustained minor injuries.
She said Mavhaise was negligent in one or more of the following – speeding, failing to stop or act reasonably when a collision seemed imminent and failing to keep vehicle under control.
Online Reporter