A 26-year-old Harare man has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for culpable homicide after negligent driving resulted in the deaths of two passengers and serious injury to another along the Harare-Mutare Highway.
In a statement yesterday, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said, “Brendon Boilers Chando of Cleveland, Brookside, Harare, was convicted by the Rusape Magistrates’ Court following the fatal crash on September 20, 2025,”
According to the NPAZ, Chando was driving a Toyota Hiace carrying 14 passengers at about 2pm when the accident occurred at the 138-kilometre peg along the Harare-Mutare Highway.
“Chando attempted to overtake another vehicle but encountered an oncoming vehicle, prompting him to try to avoid a head-on collision.
He subsequently lost control of the Toyota Hiace, which veered off the road and struck a ditch before landing on its side.Two people died on the spot while one sustained serious injuries,” the NPAZ said.
The prosecution established that Chando had been negligent by speeding, failing to stop or act reasonably when a collision appeared imminent and failing to keep a proper lookout.
“The court sentenced him to 15 months’ imprisonment, with five months suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour, leaving him to serve an effective 10 months behind bars,”the NPAZ said.
The NPAZ said the conviction demonstrated the consequences of reckless and negligent conduct on the country’s roads, warning motorists against violating traffic regulations.
“The NPAZ warns drivers of zero tolerance towards reckless driving and the flouting of road regulations,” the authority said.
It added that the criminal justice system had a responsibility to protect all road users from motorists whose conduct placed lives at risk.
“The criminal justice system has a duty to protect all road users from reckless drivers and offenders will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” the NPAZ said.
The case comes amid continued concerns over road safety, with negligent driving remaining a major contributor to fatal road traffic accidents.
Authorities have repeatedly urged motorists to observe speed limits, exercise caution when overtaking and maintain proper control of their vehicles to prevent avoidable loss of life.
