OPINION: Life Is Not Valued In Zimbabwe – Why Are Reckless Unlicensed Drivers Getting Community Service Despite Killing Pedestrians?
How much is a human life worth in Zimbabwe?
That’s the uncomfortable question haunting many citizens following the outrageous sentencing of reckless, unlicensed drivers who have killed pedestrians — and walked away with nothing more than community service.
In June 2025, a 20-year-old man from Chinhoyi caused a horror hit-and-run accident that claimed one life and injured four others. He was driving an unroadworthy Honda Fit with no licence. After mowing down five pedestrians at 4 a.m. near the Chegutu-Chinhoyi Road, he fled the scene. And yet, he will not spend a single night behind bars. Instead, the Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Court sentenced him to 360 hours of community service. That’s less than the time many spend binge-watching a series on Netflix.
This is not justice. It is an insult to the deceased, to the injured, and to every citizen who obeys the law.
Recklessness Rewarded?
Let’s be clear: driving without a valid licence is not a minor offence. It is a criminal act that shows blatant disregard for human life and public safety. The law is unequivocal — one must be licensed to operate a vehicle. A licence is not a mere formality. It signifies that one is competent and authorised to drive.
When an unlicensed driver gets behind the wheel, they gamble with the lives of others. When that gamble ends in death, the law must not turn a blind eye.
But in Zimbabwe, it appears that the courts do just that.
Take the case of popular musician Chillmaster. In April 2025, he fatally struck 50-year-old Custon Charumbira while driving without a licence. He was convicted of culpable homicide. Yet, instead of going to prison, he was ordered to perform 420 hours of community service and pay a US$200 fine. That’s right — US$200 for a life.
Why Chillmaster Didn’t Go to Jail Despite Killing Pedestrian While Driving Without a Licence
Is Justice for Sale?
Many offenders are walking free by offering restitution to victims’ families. Funeral costs are covered. Cattle are handed over. School fees are promised. And suddenly, jail time is suspended.
Yes, Zimbabwe has strong cultural values that emphasise reconciliation and compensation. But cultural gestures must never replace legal accountability.
Justice must not be transactional.
In Chillmaster’s case, the victim’s family forgave him after he pledged to take care of the children left behind. While their forgiveness is admirable, it should not determine sentencing. It’s the court’s duty to ensure that offenders are held to account — especially when their actions result in death.
If courts continue to accept cows and groceries in place of justice, what message are we sending?
A Pattern of Impunity
Sadly, this is not a one-off occurrence. From Moses Chingwena to Russell Goreraza to Dudu Manhenga — prominent Zimbabweans have been convicted of killing pedestrians and served little to no jail time. In many of these cases, the drivers were speeding, unlicensed, or simply negligent.
Chillmaster Escapes Jail – Joins Other Famous Zimbabweans Who Killed Pedestrians & Walked Free
This pattern is disturbing. It shows that our justice system prioritises influence, status, or compensation over deterrence and accountability.
The effect? Ordinary citizens no longer trust the system. They see no consequences for lawbreakers. They fear that human life, especially that of the poor, is cheap.
As one user on social media put it:
“This only proves that driving without a licence is not much of a big deal in Zim. It’s so pathetic to say the least.”
Another wrote:
“You have killed. You are unlicensed. You run away. The vehicle is unroadworthy. Then the sentence is 360 hours of community service? Sorry to the bereaved family.”
The outrage is real. The anger is justified.
The Law Must Mean Something
Zimbabwean law needs to reclaim its credibility.
If an unlicensed driver kills someone, prison should be the default sentence — not the exception. Magistrates and judges must stop hiding behind cultural restitution when life has been lost due to gross negligence.
Community service may be appropriate for petty theft, but not for death by reckless driving.
If we want to reduce road carnage, we must enforce licensing laws strictly. If we want to restore public trust, we must show that justice is blind — not for sale. If we want to value life, we must punish those who destroy it.
Until then, Zimbabwe remains a country where the lives of pedestrians are cheap, and justice is measured in cattle, not convictions.
Follow Us on Google News for Immediate Updates
The post Community Service for Murder: Why Reckess Unlicensed Drivers Keep Killing & Avoiding Jail In Zimbabwe (OPINION) appeared first on iHarare News.
