Fairness Moyana

A GOKWE man who drove a vehicle without a licence and was later involved in a traffic accident which killed his brother will spend a month in prison

Matthew Nyika (39) of Simuchembo Village under Chief Simuchembo in Gokwe was brought before Provincial magistrate Mr Collet Ncube to answer charges of contravening sections 6 (1) of the Road Traffic Act chapter 13:11; driving without a driver’s licence and  49 of the Criminal Law (Codification and  Reform ) Act chapter 9:23; Culpable homicide.

According to the State led by Mr Sifelumusa Fuzane, on 26 August 2011 at around 4pm, Nyika was driving a Mazda pick-up truck without a licence along the Siabuwa-Binga road. The truck had  27 people             on-board. On approaching the 91km peg along the same road, he failed to control the vehicle after he crossed a narrow bridge at Nachuno river.

The vehicle plunged into the river injuring all the passengers who were later taken to hospital. However, Nyika’s brother Justin was transferred to United Bulawayo Hospital where he later died due to the nature of his injuries.

In passing sentence Mr Ncube emphasised the risk that comes with overloading vehicles adding that Nyika had acted negligently.

On the first count Nyika was fined US$200 of which default in payment would result in 6 months imprisonment.

He was further sentenced to one month imprisonment for the second offence.