A Rusape man collapses in court and dies whilst in police custody before his sentencing. Blessing Kalatala, who had previously entered a guilty plea to a charge of negligent driving, fell ill during his appearance last Friday. The incident occurred as Magistrate Babra Mateko prepared to deliver the sentence.
Court officials confirmed that Kalatala was swiftly transported to the Rusape Remand Prison for medical attention, where he tragically passed away later that same evening.
The case originated from a traffic incident that occurred on the Harare-Mutare Road last year. According to the official court record presented by Prosecutor Faith Mutukwa, Kalatala’s actions led to a collision that injured three individuals.
Details of the Fatal Road Accident Emerge
Providing a detailed account of the event, Prosecutor Mutukwa outlined the sequence of events that led to the charges.
“On the afternoon of October 31, 2024, the accused was operating a Toyota Hiace minibus along the Harare-Mutare Road,” she stated. “As he reached the 192-kilometre peg near Nyazura, he executed a right-hand turn directly into the path of an oncoming Nissan AD Van.”
The prosecutor confirmed that the driver of the Nissan, Linah Makufa, had been travelling in the opposite direction with three passengers onboard at the time of the collision. The force of the impact caused significant damage to both vehicles and left multiple people requiring medical treatment.
The aftermath of the crash saw emergency services rush to the scene.
“All three passengers in the Nissan van, namely Estela Salina Sadombo and Lonah Madlayo, sustained injuries and were later medically examined,” Mutukwa confirmed.
The Vehicle Inspection Department was tasked with assessing the extent of the damage to both the Toyota Hiace, which suffered damage to its left front passenger door, and the Nissan van, which sustained frontal damage. These reports formed a key part of the evidence against Kalatala.
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A Sudden End to a Legal Proceeding
The unexpected turn of events in the courtroom has left the legal proceedings in a state of abeyance. A court official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed the shock felt by all present.
“It was a very distressing situation. One moment, the court was in session; the next, there was a medical emergency. Our immediate priority was to ensure he received care,” the official said.
The matter has now been referred to the relevant authorities for further investigation into the precise cause of Kalatala’s sudden death, as the community grapples with the tragic outcome of a case that will now never see a formal conclusion.
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The post Man Collapses In Court And Dies Moments Before Sentencing appeared first on iHarare News.
