By Staff Writer
A 28-year-old Mutoko man has been sentenced to an effective 42 months in prison after he ran a red light, collided with another vehicle and fled the scene, leaving a passenger who later died of his injuries.
Zivai Jembere was convicted by the Harare Magistrates’ Court on charges of culpable homicide, failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident within the prescribed time.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), Jembere was driving a Honda Fit eastbound along Samora Machel Avenue at around 1:30am on May 3, 2026, when he drove through a red robot at the intersection with Simon Muzenda Street. He collided with another Honda Fit travelling northbound, driven by Frankson Simbarashe Mudzingwa.
The crash left Mudzingwa and his passenger, 35-year-old Andrew Mbaya, seriously injured. Rather than stopping to help, Jembere reversed his car and fled, despite being chased by a witness, the NPAZ said.
Mbaya sustained severe neck and spinal injuries and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, where he fought for his life for 12 days before succumbing to his injuries.
Police traced Jembere’s vehicle to Mutoko, where it was recovered and impounded.
The court found Jembere negligent on four counts: failing to keep a proper lookout, driving at excessive speed, failing to take reasonable action to avoid the collision, and disobeying a lawfully erected traffic signal.
He was sentenced to 48 months’ imprisonment for culpable homicide, of which 12 months were suspended for five years, and barred from driving Class 4 vehicles for three years. He received an additional three months for failing to stop after the accident and three months for failing to report it within 24 hours.