In a tragic turn of events, 26-year-old Kelvin Mhasi, a commuter omnibus driver from Hatcliffe, has been sentenced to 17 months in prison after being convicted of culpable homicide related to a fatal road accident. The sentencing was delivered by Harare magistrate Apollonia Marutya, who emphasized the gravity of Mhasi’s actions that led to the untimely death of pedestrian Sylvester Koniki.
The court proceedings revealed that Mhasi, initially pleading not guilty, was ultimately found guilty of driving at excessive speeds on September 12, 2024. As he navigated his Toyota Hiace along Fife Avenue in Harare, Koniki was crossing the road from the south when the tragic incident occurred.
Eyewitness testimonies and evidence presented by prosecutor Farai Makuyana established that Mhasi failed to maintain a proper lookout and did not take necessary precautions to prevent the collision. The severity of the impact left Koniki with catastrophic injuries, and he tragically died at the scene.
Following the incident, Mhasi stopped at the scene, and emergency services transported Koniki to Parirenyatwa Hospital, where a postmortem examination was conducted. However, the court found that Mhasi’s negligence was a significant factor contributing to Koniki’s death. In her ruling, Magistrate Marutya underscored the importance of road safety and the responsibility drivers have to ensure the well-being of pedestrians. Mhasi’s effective 17-month prison sentence serves as a sobering reminder of the potential consequences of reckless driving.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges of road safety in urban areas and the devastating impact that traffic accidents can have on communities. As authorities continue to advocate for safer driving practices, the hope is that incidents like this can be reduced, protecting drivers and pedestrians alike.
In other news – Winnie Mashaba under fire on social media for aircraft showboating
Gospel singer Winnie Mashaba is under fire on social media for her recent visit to the family of the late Solly Moholo, which some critics have labeled as “showboating.” The controversy erupted after Mashaba reportedly arrived at Wonderboom Airport in Pretoria in a private aircraft on Friday, sparking heated discussions online.
Critics have pointed out that Mashaba did not visit Moholo during his time in the hospital, raising questions about her sincerity. A music executive, who requested anonymity, expressed frustration, stating, “A fact is that Winnie failed to visit Solly in hospital and she was supposed to use that plane to go to Rustenburg and visit Solly. Read More
