Musician Gift Hombarume, known as Chillmaster, has been spared imprisonment after receiving a fully suspended two-year jail sentence and a US$200 fine for the fatal car accident that claimed the life of a pedestrian.
Mbare magistrate Tatenda Mukurunge found Hombarume guilty of driving without a licence, resulting in the US$200 fine.
For culpable homicide, he was sentenced to two years, with one year suspended on the condition of not committing a similar offence within five years.
The remaining year was suspended contingent upon his completion of community service at Stoneridge Primary School in Harare.
The tragic incident occurred on April 9 along New Chitungwiza Road, leading to the death of 50-year-old pedestrian, Custon Charumbira.
The court proceedings revealed a significant factor in the sentencing: Charumbira’s family had already forgiven Hombarume, as conveyed in their victim impact statement.
Lucia Charumbira, representing the family, also testified that Chillmaster provided substantial support during the funeral.
The magistrate acknowledged this, along with Hombarume’s first-time offender status and demonstrated remorse, in her sentencing decision.
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The court heard that Chillmaster pledged to provide cattle to appease avenging spirits (ngozi) according to their cultural beliefs, as well as to support the deceased's children's education and provide monthly groceries until they complete their schooling.
The fatal accident and subsequent legal proceedings involving Chillmaster stirred considerable public emotion and debate last month.
Following the incident, Chillmaster issued a public statement on his official Facebook page expressing deep sorrow, remorse, and sympathy for the deceased and their family.
In his statement, he admitted his involvement in the “devastating car accident”, accepted “full responsibility” for his actions and pledged complete cooperation with the authorities.
Unfortunately, Chillmaster's case is not an isolated incident.
His conviction for culpable homicide placed him within a troubling pattern of Zimbabwean celebrities and musicians involved in similar fatal car accidents.
Afro-jazz musician Dudu Manhenga was convicted of culpable homicide and driving with a learner's licence without supervision in 2013, stemming from a 2010 accident that resulted in the death of a motorcyclist.
She served an effective 18-month prison sentence.
Rapper Stunner was also involved in a serious car accident in 2016, injuring two pedestrians and damaging property.
He was subsequently convicted of driving without a licence and reckless driving.
In 2014, Chitarisiro Chiketa, also known as MC Chita, the son of Zimbabwe’s then Ambassador to Sweden, fatally struck two Jehovah’s Witness preachers in Harare.
Reports indicated that MC Chita was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident along Samora Machel Avenue.
Police confirmed the tragic deaths of Rhoda Bwanaisa and Melita Mangazi.
