Source: Comeuppance for reckless kombi driver jailed after fatal crash – herald
BLESSMORE NYAMASOKA, a 29-year-old kombi driver, will now have ample time behind bars to reflect on his deadly recklessness on the roads.
Last week, he was convicted of causing a head-on collision that left nine people seriously injured and one dead.
On January 7, Nyamasoka was behind the wheel of a Toyota Hiace overloaded with 15 passengers, speeding along Nemakonde Way in Harare. As if rushing to outrun common sense, he made a fatal decision: he veered into the lane of oncoming traffic near the Suffolk Road intersection. There, he smashed head-on into a Honda Fit being driven lawfully by Respect Mawadzi, who was carrying two passengers.
The impact was brutal. The small Honda Fit stood no chance against the speeding kombi.
Seven passengers from Nyamasoka’s vehicle and two from the Honda Fit suffered multiple fractures, severe head injuries and had to be rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital.
The injuries were so serious that one of the passengers, Rukodzi Kundishora, later died from complications sustained in the crash.
A full trial exposed Nyamasoka’s utter disregard for the safety of his passengers, other road users and himself.
The court found that he was driving at an excessive speed, failed to maintain a proper lookout and crossed onto the wrong lane without taking any reasonable steps to prevent the crash.
His behaviour was not just negligent — it was criminal.
Magistrate Apollonia Marutya had little sympathy. She sentenced him to three years in prison, with 12 months suspended for good behaviour.
The remaining two years will be served effectively, and rightly so.
In addition, the court cancelled his driver’s licence for both classes 2 and 4, and banned him from driving for two years.
Reckless driving is not a joke. It costs lives.
And if you gamble with people’s safety, a jail might just be your next stop.
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