The ManicaPost
Chipinge Correspondent
A CHIPINGE District youth officer employed by the Ministry of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment was fined $800 for knocking down an eight-year-old girl.
Zondai Mwandikudze of Matenderwa Village under Chief Mapungwana’s area pleaded guilty to charges of culpable homicide and riding without a licence when he appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mr Poterai Gwezhira on Monday.
The State led by Mr Witness Nyamundaya, said on November 3 last year and at around 2pm, Mwandikudze was riding an unregistered motorbike along Birchenough Bridge-Mt Selinda Road and upon approaching the 62km peg on the same road, he observed a stationery vehicle in front of him.
“He did not reduce speed or exercise caution required when overtaking. He also did not sound the horn,” he said.Mr Nyamundaya said a speeding Mwandikudze swerved to the right in a bid to overtake the parked vehicle.
“In the process he hit a pedestrian, Makanaka Manjengwa, aged eight who was in school uniform and crossing the road.
She was coming from Makorodze School going home. She sustained a left femur fracture.
“Makanaka was rushed to Chipinge District Hospital for treatment, but died on the same day at 8pm.
Post mortem carried out by Dr Guvheya concluded that the cause of death was severe haemorrhage due to femur fracture secondary to road traffic accident,” said Mr Nyamundaya. The motorcycle was inspected by a vehicle inspector and a report was produced in court as an exhibit.
In sentencing Mwandikudze, Mr Gwezhira, said: “Although the accused showed remorse by helping the bereaved family, the accused committed a serious offence.
What is aggravating is that he was riding a motorcycle without a licence. Usually the courts send unlicenced drivers to jail to deter would-be offenders.”
