Mugwadi fined for culpable homicide

MUSICIAN Tererai Mugwadi, who was convicted of culpable homicide after she was involved in an accident that killed one person was yesterday fined $250 by a Chitungwiza court.

Mugwadi ( 32) of Stapleford, Mount Hampden in Harare, denied the charges when she appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Oliver Mudzongachiso.

Mr Mudzongachiso, however, found her guilty after a full trial and fined her $250.

She will spend two months in prison if she fails to pay.

I n passing sentence, Mr Mudzongachiso said Mugwadi’s driving was not so dangerous as to warrant the cancellation of her driver’s licence.

Prosecuting, Mr Edmond Ndambakuwa told the court that a deterrent sentence was appropriate, especially in cases that involved loss of human life.

“She was involved in a head-on collision, causing the death of one person and injuring three other passengers from another vehicle.

“Precious life is being lost due to such negligence and it is my plea that a deterrent sentence be passed and her licence be cancelled or barred from driving for a period not exceeding a year,” he said.

However, Mugwadi’s lawyer successfully argued in mitigation that a custodial sentence wasn’t appropriate since she was not only asthmatic, but had two young children who look up to her.