A bus mechanic from Bulawayo has been sentenced to an effective 24 months in prison for running over two pedestrians while test-driving a bus he was fixing in November 2023.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Witness Moyo (37) who is an unlicensed driver, was facing two counts of culpable homicide and one count of driving without a driver’s license when he was arraigned before the Western Commonage Magistrates’s court. Said the NPA:

A Bulawayo man, Witness Moyo (37) appeared before the Western Commonage Magistrates’ Court facing one count of culpable homicide and another charge of driving without a driver’s license.

On 4 November 2023 along Nketa Drive in Mpopoma Bulawayo, the accused person who is a mechanic was test-driving an AVM bus due north on Nketa Drive in Mpopoma Bulawayo when he hit two pedestrians, Otis Ncube and Shanice Mathe who were crossing the road. The two pedestrians died on the spot. The accused person drove without a driver’s license.

The State proved that Moyo not only exceeded the speed limit but also neglected to stay within his lane, maintain a proper lookout, or react promptly when an accident or collision appeared imminent.

Moyo pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment of which 12 months were suspended for five years. He will serve 24 months effectively.

For the second count (driving without a driver’s license), he was ordered to pay a fine of US$250 by 31 May 2024 or spend five months in prison.

More: Pindula News