Kuwadzana Man Jailed 12 Months For Driving Without Licence, Banned From Driving For 24 Months

Zimbabwe Court Jails Unlicensed Driver For 12 Months

A Kuwadzana man has been jailed for 12 months and banned from driving for two years after being convicted of reckless driving and driving without a licence. The Harare Magistrates’ Court delivered the sentence on 24 September 2025, following a reckless incident earlier this month in the capital’s busy Central Business District. Police discovered that the driver, who caused an accident while speeding on a one-way road, did not hold a valid licence. The ruling has since sparked debate, especially when compared to other recent cases involving unlicensed drivers.

Harare driver jailed after reckless incident

According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPA), 32-year-old Oscar Ngonidzashe Mushangazhike was arrested after a dangerous incident in Harare’s CBD on 9 September 2025. At around 3:30pm, he sped down Kenneth Kaunda Avenue, a one-way street, driving against oncoming traffic before sideswiping another vehicle.

The NPA explained:

“The offender was driving against oncoming vehicles while speeding on a marked one-way road, Kenneth Kaunda, in Harare’s Central Business District and caused an accident when he sideswiped another vehicle. Police were called to the scene and discovered the offender had no valid licence.”

He was sentenced to 18 months in prison for reckless driving, with six months suspended for five years, leaving him with an effective 12 months to serve. On the second count, driving without a licence, he was fined US$80 (about R1,440) and prohibited from driving for 24 months.

The NPA said:

“Reckless driving is a significant concern, and countless lives have been lost on our roads. The criminal justice system will not hesitate to deal with drivers who endanger the lives of others.”

No jail for Chillmaster despite fatal crash

This tough stance contrasts sharply with the case of Zim dancehall artist Kudakwashe Gift Hombarume, better known as Chillmaster. On 4 September 2025, he was banned from driving for only nine months after a High Court review — even though he killed 46-year-old Custon Charumbira while driving without a licence.

The 24-year-old admitted speeding at 100 km/h in a 60 km/h zone in April before ramming into Charumbira, who died instantly. Initially, Mbare Magistrate Tatenda Mukurunge had sentenced him to community service after he paid compensation to the victim’s family and covered funeral expenses.

Justice Mary Zimba-Dube overturned the ruling, calling it “outrageous.” She stressed:

“The facts of this case reveal a serious breach of road safety regulations… A victim impact statement cannot trump the interests of justice. Courts should not allow offenders to buy themselves out of a custodial sentence simply because they can pay compensation.”

Despite her strong remarks, Chillmaster was spared jail and received only a driving ban.

Sentences spark comparisons

Both rulings have put the spotlight on the judiciary’s handling of road traffic offences. While Mushangazhike, who caused a non-fatal accident, is serving a year behind bars, Chillmaster, who admitted to killing someone while driving without a licence, avoided prison entirely.

The stark difference in sentencing has raised questions about the consistency with which justice is applied in road traffic cases.