Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura,Court Reporter
THE teenager who killed Zimpapers driver Silas Bunu in a horror crash along Luveve Road has been slapped with a 24-month imprisonment term.
Melusi Nkomo (19) of Nketa 6 suburb pleaded guilty to culpable homicide and driving without a licence when he appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Archie Wochiwunga on Friday.
The fatal crash, which occurred earlier this month near Mzilikazi suburb, plunged colleagues and family of Bunu into grief. Nkomo was behind the wheel of a stolen vehicle when he ploughed into the Zimpapers staffer, ending his life on the spot.
Two weeks ago, Nkomo and his sidekick Shelton Dube (19) of Nkulumane suburb were each sentenced to six months for stealing the car, but three months were suspended for three years, leaving them with an effective three months behind bars.
On Friday, justice tightened the screws. For culpable homicide, Nkomo was handed 24 months, with 12 months suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour. For driving without a licence, he was slapped with two months. The sentences will run concurrently, meaning he will serve 20 months in total.
The ruling means that if Nkomo ever repeats the same offence, he will face jail without the option of a fine.
The court noted that his reckless behaviour not only robbed a family of a breadwinner but also dented the journalism fraternity, with Bunu remembered as a dedicated Zimpapers driver.
The sentence brought a measure of closure, but grief still hangs heavy over the newsroom and the Bunu family.
More to follow.
derick.khumalo