Gift Kudakwashe Hombarume, widely recognized by his stage name Chillmaster, may be staring down a life sentence following a deadly road incident in Harare’s Hopely area that resulted in the death of a pedestrian.
The tragic event has rocked the entertainment industry, with emerging, yet unverified, claims indicating that Chillmaster might not have held a valid driver’s licence at the time of the crash.
Eyewitnesses report that the musician failed to provide a licence when asked by authorities at the scene, prompting speculation about whether he was legally allowed to be behind the wheel.
There remains uncertainty over whether Chillmaster was entirely unlicensed or had simply forgotten his licence at home. Nonetheless, his failure to present the document has placed him in legal jeopardy. In Zimbabwe, driving without a licence is a criminal offence under the Road Traffic Act [Chapter 13:11], punishable by up to 12 months in prison, a fine not exceeding US$300, or both.
However, these penalties may pale in comparison to what he could face if additional charges are brought forward.
Should prosecutors decide to file charges for culpable homicide alongside unlicensed driving, Chillmaster could find himself facing far more severe consequences. Under Section 49 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, a conviction for culpable homicide can result in a life sentence, a substantial fine (currently upwards of US$5,000), or both, depending on the severity of the case and the court’s judgment.
Culpable homicide involves cases where a person either fails to recognize the potentially fatal outcomes of their actions or knowingly takes risks without adequate precaution.
As the legal process unfolds, the future of Chillmaster’s once-promising musical career remains uncertain.
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