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Ald Mpofu’s family cries foul

06 Apr, 2014 - 08:04 0 Views

The Sunday News

Vusumuzi Dube Sunday News Reporter
THE family of the late former Bulawayo deputy mayor, Alderman Charles Mpofu, who died from injuries he sustained after a truck rammed into a Nissan Sunny parked on the roadside which he was in together with a friend, has cried foul over the sentence imposed on the driver of the truck.The driver, Trust Lupondo (36) of Upper Rangemore, was recently sentenced to an effective 18 months imprisonment by Western Commonage magistrate Mr Temba Chimiso, a sentence which the family says was not stiff.

A fuming Mr Guidance Mpofu, Ald Mpofu’s eldest son, said the court could have just let him go free as the 18-month sentence was not satisfactory.
“Once again the courts have just showed traits which my father was always fighting. In this country there is no crime which is rated as serious or frivolous and all cases should be dealt with in the same manner but the magistrate just said that this was not a special crime and just gave a minimum penalty.

“The suspect is faced with four charges before even taking into consideration homicide, so does it mean that we have cases that can be treated in a special manner than others.

“The reason why the family did not engage private lawyers is because we trusted the State lawyers would do justice but we are disappointed and we will not rest. As for the accused he just has to know that this is just the beginning. These guys with unregistered trucks on the road were supposed to learn from my father’s case had the court handled this it justly,” said Mr Mpofu.

Mr Nhlanhla Ncube, who used to work for Ald Mpofu, also blasted the magistrate saying the sentence opened closed wounds.
“There is everything wrong about this sentence. This person killed someone but this sentence does not serve justice, as the family and close friends of the late Alderman we have vowed that we will appeal against this sentence,” said Mr Ncube.

Lupondo was sentenced to six months for driving without a licence and 12 months for culpable homicide.
“Considering the gravity of the offence, which led to the loss of life, the court sentenced the accused to six months in prison for driving without a licence and 12 months for culpable homicide,” said Mr Chimiso while passing sentence.

Lupondo was driving a Ford truck carrying sand early this month when he rammed into a Nissan Sunny parked on the roadside with Ald Mpofu and a friend inside.

Ald Mpofu, who was 55, sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) where he was put in intensive care but died the following day.

Mr Tony Kamudyariwa represented the State while Mr Modicai Donga of Lazarus and Sarif Legal Practitioners defended Lupondo.

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