Rusape Man Banned From Driving After Deadly Tyre Burst Crash
A Rusape man has been jailed for two years and banned from driving after worn tyres caused a horrific accident that left two people dead. The tragedy unfolded on the Rusape-Nyanga Road when the vehicle he was driving overturned twice before landing on its roof. The court heard that the crash was the result of negligence.
Fatal Rusape crash
According to a National Prosecuting Authority bulletin dated 7 October 2025, 38-year-old Lameck Mupanga was convicted of culpable homicide at Rusape Magistrates’ Court.
On 24 April 2024, Mupanga was driving a Toyota Wish (registration AFI 5551) along the Rusape-Nyanga Road with seven passengers when the vehicle’s rear right tyre burst near the 33 km peg.
The court heard that he lost control of the car, which overturned twice before landing on its roof. Two passengers, Tsitsi Terera and Shamiso Nyamakanga Mambemba, were killed.
Postmortem results revealed Terera died from polytrauma, while Mambemba succumbed to traumatic brain injuries.
The National Prosecuting Authority said in a statement:
“Investigations revealed that the offender had been driving with worn-out tyres and failed to act reasonably under the circumstances, leading to the fatal crash.”
Magistrates imposed a 24-month prison term, cancelled his licence, and banned him from driving.
The NPA added:
“Negligence on the roads will not be tolerated. Lives continue to be lost due to avoidable negligence. Drivers must ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and exercise caution at all times.”
Sentence contrasts
While Mupanga, a licensed driver, will serve 24 months in jail and lose his driving privileges, a different case involving Zimdancehall musician Kudakwashe Gift Hombarume, known as Chillmaster, has drawn public attention for its contrasting outcome.
Chillmaster was involved in a fatal crash on 9 April 2025 along New Chitungwiza Road. The 24-year-old, who did not have a licence, struck pedestrian Custon Charumbira, who died on the spot.
Chillmaster admitted speeding, losing control, and failing to stop in time. He was initially fined US$200 (about R3,800) and given a wholly suspended two-year jail sentence plus 420 hours of community service.
Judge President Mary Zimba-Dube later ordered a review, ruling that the lower court had been too lenient. She said the musician’s actions amounted to “gross recklessness,” pointing out that he was driving between 80–100 km/h in a 60 zone and only stopped 67 metres after impact.
Despite her concerns, Chillmaster was only banned from driving for nine months — a penalty that has raised eyebrows since he was already unlicensed.
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