Justice Served, 3-Year Jail Term For Rusape Hit-and-Run Offender

By Shingirai Vambe

Rusape-

It was a typical afternoon in Rusape, with the sun shining brightly over the small town. But amidst the tranquility, a tragedy was unfolding. A 15 year old Vengere High pupil, Takudzwa Maukazuva was walking from school when a vehicle struck him, sending him tumbling to the ground. The driver, instead of stopping to render aid, sped away from the scene, leaving the young boy helpless and unconscious.

The incident sent shockwaves through the community, with many residents expressing outrage and sadness at the senseless act. The police were quickly notified, and they launched an investigation into the hit-and-run accident.

After some months, God intervened, David Tichivangani had a misunderstanding with his wife in Harare, where he had fled. the wife then reported the now incacerated Tichivangani to the police, notifying them of the crime he had committed in Rusape. he was arrested and charged with culpable homicide and failure to stop at the scene of an accident, failure to report a serious road traffic accident (RTA) within 24hrs and driving without a drivers license .

Tichivangani committed the crime while driving a Toyota Runx (AEQ 9111), Prosecuting, Takunda Muzenda told the court that Tichivangani was reckless and inhuman in his actions.

The case went to trial, with the prosecution presenting evidence of the driver’s reckless behavior. The court heard how the driver had shown a blatant disregard for human life, leaving the young boy to suffer serious injuries.

In the end, the court delivered a guilty verdict, and the driver was sentenced to three years of hard labor. The sentence was seen as a victory for justice, with many in the community feeling that the driver had received a fitting punishment for his actions.

The victim’s family expressed relief and gratitude at the sentence, saying that it brought them some measure of closure. “We are just glad that justice has been served,” said the class mate.

“We hope that this sentence will serve as a deterrent to other drivers who might think of committing a similar crime.”

The incident and the subsequent sentencing served as a wake-up call for the community, highlighting the importance of road safety and responsible driving. The authorities vowed to step up efforts to combat reckless driving and ensure that drivers who put lives at risk are held accountable.

The investigating officer, Josphat Chikuku thanked the courts for serving justice and closure to the family of Takudzwa for the incaceration of Tichivangani, and urged road users to obey to traffic rules and regulation, reporting and seeking assistance from the nearest police station incase of any road traffic accident in Zimbabwe.