Budiriro Woman Jailed for Fatal Crash Without Licence

Budiriro woman has been jailed nine months for culpable homicide (image source)

A 38-year-old Harare woman, Martha Tongwe, has been sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment after being convicted of culpable homicide for causing a fatal pedestrian accident while driving without a licence. The Mbare Magistrates’ Court handed down the sentence on September 18, 2025.

Tongwe appeared in court after an incident on June 15 along Cabs Road in Budiriro 4. She lost control of a Honda CRV at high speed, veered off the carriageway and struck a 62-year-old man standing by the roadside. The victim sustained severe head injuries and died on arrival at Sally Mugabe Hospital.

“The accused was driving at an excessive speed despite being unlicensed, failed to keep a proper lookout and did not take evasive action when the collision was imminent,” Magistrate Tendai Moyo said when delivering judgment.

Sentence and Legal Context

Magistrate Moyo ruled that Tongwe’s negligence directly caused the pedestrian’s death, describing the offence as “a serious breach of public safety.” Tongwe received a 12-month custodial sentence, with three months suspended on condition of good behaviour over the next five years. She will serve the remaining nine months at Chikurubi Women’s Prison.

Under Zimbabwe’s Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23], culpable homicide by negligent driving carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a fine, reflecting the judiciary’s commitment to road safety enforcement.

Road Safety Concerns in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s road traffic fatalities reached an estimated 2,800 in 2024, according to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). Pedestrians accounted for nearly 45% of victims, highlighting persistent safety concerns in urban areas.

In response, Parliament amended the Road Traffic Act in March 2025 to strengthen penalties for unlicensed and reckless driving, including mandatory licence verification and higher fines.

“Drivers must understand that licences are not a formality but a legal and moral responsibility to safeguard lives,” said ZRP spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.

Appeal and Next Steps

Tongwe has appealed the conviction and sentence, with a hearing set before the High Court in Harare on October 10, 2025. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport has rolled out a campaign to verify driver licences at all traffic checkpoints nationwide, aiming to reduce unlicensed driving by 30% by year-end.

As Zimbabwe continues to grapple with high pedestrian fatalities, this case underscores the human cost of negligent driving and the state’s resolve to hold offenders to account.