A 34-year-old Kombi driver was convicted on six counts of culpable homicide, as well as additional charges related to operating a public service vehicle without mandatory insurance and necessary certifications when he appeared before the magistrate Ms Appolonia Marutya.
A kombi driver, Elisha Mandemo whose reckless driving caused a tr@gic accident that claimed six lives has been sentenced to effective three years in prison.
According to state prosecutor Ms Charlotte Chikoore proved that on July 10, 2024, at around 1:30pm, along the Harare-Mutare Road at the 20km peg, Mandemo was negligently driving a Toyota Hiace (registration number AGJ 1704).
He was travelling at an excessive speed and lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road resulting in overturned multiple times before landing on its wheels in the outer lane of the oncoming carriageway. The accident resulted in the de@ths of six passengers and injur!es to 12 others.
The presiding magistrate Ms Appolonia Marutya sentenced Mandemo to four years in prison for culpable homicide.
However, one year was suspended on the condition of good behaviour, leaving him with an effective three-year prison term.
