Tendai Gukutikwa Weekender Correspondent —
A DANGAMVURA kombi driver who last week contravened a litany of road rules, which included running away from traffic police officers, was jailed for two years. Edward Masiya of House Number N309, Area C, was convicted and sentenced by Mutare magistrate, Mrs Yeukai Chigodora last Thursday.
He had denied reckless driving charges when he appeared before Mr Mukwengi. Masiya was facing charges of contravening Section 53(1) of the Road and Traffic Act, Chapter 13:11. The State led by Mr Brighton Shamuyarira said Masiya was a reckless driver who, at times, drove on the wrong side of the road.
Apart from driving on the prohibited right side of the road, Masiya refused to pay a $20 spot fine, drove past a police roadblock and also sped through a red robot.
“He risked the lives of the passengers he was carrying when he drove through a red robot while speeding away from a police truck that was chasing him.
“During the chase, he drove against oncoming traffic and only returned to his lane when collision was imminent. To avoid being overtaken by the police vehicle, Masiya turned left into a dusty road and drove for about a kilometre and stopped. When police detectives disembarked from their vehicle and approached the commuter omnibus, Masiya rolled up the windows and drove towards the two officers,” said Mr Shamuyarira.
Detectives Kaukonde and Kutadza fled into the bush when they saw the kombi driving at high speed towards them.