Truck Driver’s Licence Cancelled For Running Over Hitchhiker
A truck driver’s licence has been cancelled after he ran over a hitchhiker who was standing by the roadside, following a fatal accident along the Harare–Mutare highway in 2022.
A Rusape Magistrates Court convicted 38-year-old Terrence Kambanje of Chitungwiza of culpable homicide. The court imposed a fine of US$600 (approximately R11,100) and handed down a wholly suspended four-month prison sentence. In addition, his driver’s licence was cancelled.
Fatal Accident on Harare–Mutare Highway
The court heard that the incident occurred on December 1, 2022, at the 169-kilometre peg along the busy Harare–Mutare highway. Kambanje was behind the wheel of a white Freightliner haulage truck when the tragedy unfolded.
According to the details presented in court, the victim, a 41-year-old man, had been standing by the roadside attempting to hitch a lift when he was struck.
The publication reported the sequence of events, stating:
“On December 1, 2022, at the 169-kilometre peg along the Harare-Mutare highway, the offender was driving a white Freightliner truck when he struck the now deceased aged 41 while he was standing on the side of the road looking for transport.”
The impact proved fatal. The victim died instantly at the scene.
Postmortem Findings Confirm Cause Of Death
Medical findings later confirmed the severity of the injuries sustained during the collision. A postmortem examination established the cause of death.
Details presented before the court indicated:
“A postmortem report established that the cause of death was poly trauma as a result of the accident.”
The findings reinforced the prosecution’s case that the collision had caused multiple severe injuries leading to the victim’s immediate death.
Court Finds Driver Negligent
In delivering its ruling, the court found that Kambanje had failed to exercise the level of care expected of a driver on a public road.
The court outlined the shortcomings in his conduct, stating:
“The offender failed to exercise due caution when he noticed a pedestrian on the roadway, failed to keep a proper lookout and did not act reasonably to avoid a collision when it became imminent.”
These findings formed the basis for the culpable homicide conviction.
While the custodial sentence was suspended, the cancellation of his driver’s licence means Kambanje is no longer legally permitted to operate a vehicle. The US$600 fine (approximately R11,100) was also imposed as part of the penalty.
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