Chillmaster Escapes Prison Time After Killing Pedestrian
Popular musician Chillmaster will not be going to jail after being convicted of killing a pedestrian while driving without a licence. Instead, he’s been ordered to do 420 hours of community service — joining a list of high-profile Zimbabweans who have walked free after similar cases.
Mbare magistrate Tatenda Mukurunge handed down the sentence on 2 May 2025.
“Chillmaster has been ordered to perform 420 hours of community service at Stoneridge Primary School,” reported H-Metro.
For the charge of driving without a valid licence, Chillmaster was fined US$200.
Fatal crash kills 50-year-old pedestrian
The case stems from a tragic accident that claimed the life of 50-year-old Caston Charambira.
Chillmaster was reportedly driving from Stoneridge to the city centre with three passengers when he struck Charambira, who was walking along the roadside towards MaSteps.
The impact was fatal. The victim sustained broken legs and severe head injuries and died instantly.
Charambira was later buried in Zaka.
Chillmaster pleaded not guilty to both charges — culpable homicide and driving without a licence — during earlier court proceedings.
Prosecutor Idrissa Mustapha Mupandasekwa had asked for proof of a driver’s licence, suggesting the charge could be dropped if such evidence was produced.
“If the licence can be produced, the State is prepared to withdraw the charge,” said Mupandasekwa in court.
However, Chillmaster’s lawyers insisted the matter proceed to trial, saying the State was attempting to prematurely conclude the case.
Not the first celebrity to walk free
Chillmaster now joins a growing list of famous Zimbabweans who were convicted of killing pedestrians — but avoided jail time.
In April 2021, millionaire businessman and Croco Motors founder Moses Chingwena was fined ZWL $60,000 after fatally striking Shepherd Mukatira in Harare.
“There were no aggravating circumstances. The accident happened at night and the deceased was also partly to blame,”
said Magistrate Barbara Mateko at the time.
Chingwena paid US$4,000 and 10 cows to the deceased’s family and had his licence endorsed.
Earlier, in June 2015, First Lady Grace Mugabe’s son, Russell Goreraza, was fined US$800 for killing a pedestrian on Samora Machel Avenue while reportedly over-speeding in his BMW.
“The accused is a first offender and a custodian of a minor child,”
said Magistrate Vakai Chikwekwe in his ruling.
“I apologise for what happened. I am deeply sorry for the loss of life,”
Goreraza said after the verdict.
Mixed reactions on social media
Chillmaster’s light sentence has sparked mixed reactions online.
“We need justice, please. Failure to produce a driver’s licence is an offence. He must go to jail,” wrote one user on X.
Others criticised the not guilty plea, saying it showed a lack of remorse.
“Whether by mistake or not, killing someone is serious. Let him face the consequences,” another user commented.
Despite the controversy, Chillmaster is expected to start his community service at Stoneridge Primary School in the coming days.
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The post Chillmaster Escapes Jail – Joins Other Famous Zimbabweans Who Killed Pedestrians & Walked Free appeared first on iHarare News.
