A 36-year-old man from Dangamvura in Mutare, whose speeding vehicle tragically struck and killed three schoolchildren along Christmas-Pass-Shamu Road last month, has been fined US$1,200 and had his driver’s license revoked by a magistrate.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) reported that the accused, John Dumbura, appeared before the Mutare Magistrate’s Court on charges of culpable homicide. The NPA outlined the details of the incident:
“On the 12th day of March 2024, at approximately 1500 hours, the accused person was driving a Toyota Fortuner along Christmas Pass-Shamu Road towards Mutare town when he was involved in an accident resulting in the loss of three lives.
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The accused was driving at an excessive speed and lost control of the vehicle, striking four pedestrians named Blessing Chisari, Silvian Maponde, Strive Maponde, and Tyron Chikwanda, who were walking on the side of the road heading to Chirichangu Farm.
The first three individuals sustained severe head injuries and tragically died at the scene. Chikwanda sustained injuries to the leg and neck and was promptly rushed to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital for treatment.
As a consequence of his negligence, the accused person’s license was revoked. He was sentenced to pay a fine of USD1,200, and failure to pay will result in a six-month imprisonment term.”
In the wake of the tragedy, it was reported that the families of the deceased children demanded US$24,000, 28 head of cattle, four goats, and two cocks from the Dumbura family as compensation, prior to the burial of the minors.
Sylvian (13) and Strive Maponde (nine), siblings, were laid to rest at their rural home in Marange, while Chisare (nine) was interred at Tsvingwe Cemetery in Penhalonga. Dangamvura in Mutare
