adminChipinge Correspondent
RECKLESS driving that resulted in the killing of a seven-year-old girl resulted in a Chimanimani man being jailed 10 months.
Tichaona Chimura (28) of Chinyayeni Village under Chief Muusha’s area in Chimanimani appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mr Noah Gwatidzo on Monday, facing culpable homicide charges as defined in Section 65 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act) Chapter 9:23.
He pleaded guilty to the charge.
In mitigation, Chimura pleaded with the courts to give him a lighter sentence arguing that it was not his intention to kill the girl.
“Your Worship, I am pleading for a lighter sentence because it was a mistake to hit the child. I did everything to avoid killing her, but my efforts were in vain.“I also helped the family with funeral expenses and I am also ready to compensate them,” he said.
Prosecuting, Mrs Edith Phiri, told the court that on September 12, 2014 at around 2pm, Chimura was driving a Toyota Noah, registration number ADK 3112 along Wengezi-Chimanimani Road when he hit and killed the child.
“On approaching the 76km peg along the same road, the accused person came across Tolynn Chiposi Mudiwa of House Number 780, Ngangu Extension, Chimanimani and a Grade One pupil at Chimanimani Government Primary School walking along the road with other children.
“Tolynn had walked two paces into the road trying to cross when she was hit by Chimura’s car.
The accused stopped after about 5m and lifted the girl who had sustained head injuries.
She died on the spot.
A report was made to the police who attended the scène,” she said.
Mr Gwatidzo sentenced Chimura to 12 months in jail and two months were suspended on condition that he will not commit a similar offence.
“The accused showed remorse by helping the late girl’s family when the accident happened.
He also met other funeral costs, but what is aggravating is that he was using an unregistered vehicle to carry passengers.
Usually the courts sent transporters using illegal vehicles to jail,” he said.
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