Chillmaster Banned from Driving After Fatal Road Accident Sentence Review
Zimdancehall artist Kudakwashe Gift Hombarume, better known as Chillmaster, has been slapped with a nine-month driving ban after a review of his initial sentencing.
Chillmaster Banned from Driving After Fatal Road Accident
The ruling came from a Mbare magistrate, following an order by Judge President Mary Zimba-Dube, who flagged major flaws in the original judgment. She gave the lower court 30 days to re-examine the case and issue a proper ruling.
The case dates back to April 9, 2025, when Chillmaster, who had no driver’s licence, lost control of his vehicle along New Chitungwiza Road. He struck pedestrian Custon Charumbira, who died on the spot.
The 24-year-old admitted to speeding, not paying attention, and failing to control his car. In May, Magistrate Tatenda Mukurunge fined him US$200 for driving without a licence and sentenced him to two years in jail for culpable homicide. However, the prison term was wholly suspended—half on condition of good behaviour and half if he completed 420 hours of community service at Stoneridge Primary School.
Judge Orders Sentence Review
Justice Dube ruled that this sentence was far too soft. She said the trial court had wrongly treated Chillmaster’s actions as “ordinary negligence,” when in reality the facts showed gross recklessness. At the time of the crash, he was unlicensed, driving between 80 and 100 km/h in a 60 zone, and only came to a stop 67 metres after impact.
Part of what may have influenced the lighter sentence was the victim’s family, who pleaded for leniency. They told the court that Chillmaster had been helping them financially since the tragedy, even offering livestock as part of traditional appeasement rituals.
While acknowledging these efforts, Justice Dube made it clear they could not outweigh the seriousness of the offence. She also faulted the magistrate for not imposing a driving ban, which is required by law in fatal accidents caused by drivers.
She emphasised that banning reckless drivers from the road is crucial, not only as a deterrent, but also to protect the public and reinforce respect for traffic rules.
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The post Chillmaster Banned from Driving After Fatal Road Accident Sentence Review appeared first on iHarare News.
