A Rusape driver has been sentenced to two years in prison and banned from driving after his negligence behind the wheel led to a horrific accident that claimed two lives. The tragedy, described in court as avoidable, unfolded along the Rusape-Nyanga Road when the vehicle he was driving overturned twice before landing on its roof.
The Rusape Magistrates’ Court found 38-year-old Lameck Mupanga guilty of culpable homicide, following a hearing that examined the cause of the crash. According to a National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) bulletin dated 7 October 2025, the incident occurred on 24 April 2024.
That day, Mupanga was driving a Toyota Wish (registration AFI 5551) with seven passengers when disaster struck near the 33-kilometre peg. Court proceedings revealed that the vehicle’s rear right tyre burst while in motion. Mupanga lost control of the car, which flipped twice before coming to rest on its roof.
Two passengers, Tsitsi Terera and Shamiso Nyamakanga Mambemba, died in the crash. Postmortem results indicated that Terera died from polytrauma, while Mambemba succumbed to traumatic brain injuries.
The NPA’s statement underlined the seriousness of the offence:
“Investigations revealed that the offender had been driving with worn-out tyres and failed to act reasonably under the circumstances, leading to the fatal crash.”
The court held that Mupanga’s actions amounted to gross negligence, a breach of the duty of care every driver owes to their passengers and other road users. Magistrates imposed a 24-month prison sentence, revoked his driver’s licence, and banned him from driving upon release.
The presiding magistrate emphasised that road safety regulations exist to protect lives and that negligence will not be tolerated. The NPA reiterated:
“Lives continue to be lost due to avoidable negligence. Drivers must ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and exercise caution at all times.”
While Mupanga’s conviction and sentencing may appear straightforward, the case has drawn wider public attention when compared with a separate incident involving Zimdancehall musician Kudakwashe Gift Hombarume, popularly known as Chillmaster.
Chillmaster was involved in a fatal accident on 9 April 2025 along New Chitungwiza Road. He struck pedestrian Custon Charumbira, who died instantly at the scene. Investigations revealed that Chillmaster was driving without a licence and had been speeding at between 80–100 km/h in a 60 km/h zone.
In court, Chillmaster admitted to losing control of his vehicle and failing to stop in time to prevent the collision. Initially, he was handed a US$200 fine (approximately R3,800), a wholly suspended two-year jail term, and ordered to perform 420 hours of community service.
Driver Gets Two-Year Jail Term and Driving Ban Following Fatal Accident Caused by Worn Tyres
However, Judge President Mary Zimba-Dube later reviewed the case, ruling that the original sentence was too lenient given the gravity of the offence. She noted that Chillmaster’s actions amounted to “gross recklessness,” pointing out that he had only stopped 67 metres after impact — an indication of excessive speed and a lack of control.
Despite her concerns, Judge Zimba-Dube’s review resulted in a nine‑month driving ban for Chillmaster, a penalty that has sparked controversy because he was already unlicensed at the time of the crash. Critics argue that the punishment fell short of the seriousness of the offence, raising questions about consistency and fairness in the justice system.
The contrasting outcomes of the Mupanga and Chillmaster cases have prompted public debate about how culpable driving offences are treated in Zimbabwe’s courts. While Mupanga was jailed and banned from driving for two years despite having a valid licence, Chillmaster — who drove without one and caused a death — received a relatively lighter penalty.
Road safety experts say such disparities can undermine public trust in the justice system and weaken road safety enforcement. They stress the importance of consistent application of the law to deter negligent driving, which remains a leading cause of fatalities on Zimbabwe’s roads.
The NPA has urged all drivers to take responsibility for vehicle safety, particularly ensuring tyres are in good condition, brakes are functional, and speed limits are observed. It emphasised that compliance with these basic standards is essential to protecting lives and preventing avoidable tragedies.
Mupanga will serve his two-year sentence and lose his driving privileges, while Chillmaster’s case continues to fuel discussions about accountability and the need for judicial consistency. Both incidents serve as reminders of the devastating human cost of negligent and reckless driving, and the urgent need for all road users to uphold safety as a non‑negotiable responsibility.
Source- iHarare
