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Danisa Masuku
AN unsanctioned ride to a lover turned wrong when Bulawayo’s Previous Moyo (24), driving without a driver’s licence and under the influence of alcohol, was involved in five separate accidents on the same day.
When his sister, Sithembinkosi Chisenzi, left for her rural home in Masvingo on 26 December last year, Previous entered her bedroom and searched for car keys, which he found hidden in the wardrobe. He then took them.
Previous drove the car towards the city centre. While driving along 8th Avenue heading in the western direction, he hit a car from behind near Bulawayo City Hall and then fled the scene.
Shortly after that, he was involved in yet another accident at the intersection of 8th Avenue and Joshua Mqabuko Street, again speeding off.
The court heard that he then made a U-turn and headed to Parklands suburb. While driving on an unnamed road in Parklands, he was again involved in an accident. He continued driving along Coghlan Avenue in Parklands, where he was involved in another accident, once again failing to stop.
The court heard that a few minutes later, he hit a bicycle. The cyclist apprehended him and took him to Khumalo Police Base, leading to his arrest.
Previous appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ernest Muzembi facing five counts of negligent driving. He pleaded guilty to all counts.
The magistrate slapped him with an effective seven-month jail sentence. In sentencing him, the magistrate noted that Previous posed a high risk to members of the public who were unaware that he did not possess a driver’s license.
He stated that a harsh sentence should be imposed to deter others from similar behaviour. The magistrate further emphasised that the public was expressing concern about the perceived leniency of courts towards traffic offenders, making a strong sentence appropriate.
In mitigation, the magistrate acknowledged that Previous was a first-time offender who did not waste the court’s time by pleading guilty.
The court also noted that none of the accidents resulted in fatalities or significant damage to the vehicles.
Online Reporter