Large Sibanda, a 34-year-old man from Ntalale, Gwanda, finds himself in the spotlight of a tragic incident that resulted in the de_th of a passenger after she fell from a trailer attached to the tractor he was driving.
Appearing before Gwanda Provincial Magistrate Ms. Patience Madondo, Sibanda pleaded guilty to charges of driving without a license and culpable homicide.
The prosecution, led by Mr. Shepherd Moyo, outlined a harrowing sequence of events that took place on September 14, as Sibanda loaded 30 bags of maize, each weighing 50 kg, onto the trailer, and then allowed 15 passengers to sit atop the precarious load.
The situation turned dire when passenger Ketumetsi Ndebele lost her balance and fell off the trailer, tragically being crushed under one of its wheels, resulting in her immediate de_th.
Following the incident, the police were alerted, leading to Sibanda’s arrest as law enforcement officials considered the implications of his actions.
In court, the prosecutor highlighted the severity of Sibanda’s negligence, stating that transporting passengers in such an unsafe manner demonstrated a gross disregard for their safety.
Additionally, Moyo pointed out that Sibanda not only lacked the necessary licensing to operate the tractor but also blatantly ignored traffic regulations.
While Sibanda expressed deep remorse during the proceedings, citing his intentions to assist the community amidst the drought relief efforts, the court must weigh his motivations against the tragic outcome of the incident.
Sibanda admitted his reckless decision-making but maintained that his primary goal was to help his neighbors during a difficult time.
His emotional plea for leniency included a commitment he made to assist with the burial costs of the deceased as a testament to his regret.
The court, however, faces the challenging task of evaluating whether his good intentions can mitigate the consequences of his actions, especially given the loss of life involved.
As the sentencing looms, many local residents reflect on the risks of unlicensed drivers and the dangers posed by overloaded vehicles.
SOURCE : NEWSREPORTZIM.COM
