A HARARE man will spend the next three-and-a-half years behind bars after a Chitungwiza magistrate on Thursday found him guilty of reckless driving and failing to comply with lawful instructions.
VIMBAI MARUFU own correspondent
Presiding magistrate Musaiona Shotgame also prohibited Robert Siziva (27) of Budiriro 5 from driving public vehicles for six months. Initially, Siziva, who had pleaded not guilty, was slapped with a six-month jail term for failing to comply with lawful instructions by a police officer and four years for reckless driving.
But the magistrate suspended one year of the sentence on condition of good behaviour.
It was the State’s case that on the July 7 this year at around 1700hrs, Siziva was driving a Toyota Hiace from Epworth into the central business district along Chiremba Road.
He was waved to stop by one Constable Muganyi at the intersection of Chiremba and Alexandra roads in Hatfield.
But instead of stopping, Siziva turned on his headlights and flashed at the traffic police officers.
Prosecutor Wilson Matsika told the court that the police officers had to flee from the road to avoid being hit as the accused was driving at a high speed.
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The officers managed to take down the registration number of the vehicle.
The court heard that the folowing day, the accused was spotted by the traffic police officers on his way from the city centre to Epworth driving recklessly.
He proceeded against red traffic lights at the junction of Robert Mugabe and Chiremba roads and turned into a one-way street. Siziva also proceeded through red traffic lights at OK Mart along Chiremba Road.
The traffic police officers tracked him until he stopped at the intersection of Chiremba and St Patricks roads to fix his main passenger door which had fallen and was immediately arrested.
