Online Reporter
Sharon Jiyamwa
Herald reporter
A HARARE man, who crashed a hired vehicle in Murehwa, has been sued by the owner at the Harare Civil Court for $400 in police fines and towing fees incurred after the accident.
Romeo Mukonoweshure appeared before Magistrate Ashton Dube yesterday seeking a court order compelling Moses Hodzonge to reimburse the costs he incurred following the crash.
The court heard that Hodzonge hired a Toyota Belta from Mukonoweshure for a journey from Harare to Murehwa, where he subsequently had an accident.
Following the crash, Hodzonge suffered a serious arm injury, was hospitalised and was charged with negligent driving by the police.
The vehicle was kept in police custody in Murehwa pending payment of the fine.
Mukonoweshure told the court he needed his vehicle back and pressed Hodzonge to pay the admission-of-guilt fine.
He claimed that Hodzonge, while still recovering in hospital, admitted he lacked immediate funds and requested Mukonoweshure to settle the fine and towing charges on his behalf, promising to reimburse him upon recovery.
Mukonoweshure subsequently paid the fine and the towing charges to have the vehicle brought back from Murehwa to Harare. He noted that although insurance covered 90 percent of the repair costs, he chose not to pursue Hodzonge for the balance, as the accident was unintentional. He limited his claim to the US$400 in out-of-pocket expenses.
In his defence, Hodzonge questioned how the amount reached US$400 and argued that he was severely injured, heavily medicated, and in shock when police charged him. He maintained that he repeatedly asked both Mukonoweshure and the police to allow him time to heal before dealing with the matter, but eventually yielded to persistent pressure to accept the negligent driving charge.
Magistrate Dube ordered Mukonoweshure to produce the car rental agreement and original receipts for the police fine and towing services to verify the claim. The matter was adjourned to August 26 for continuation.
