Smart Express horror bus accident driver gets tough jail punishment

THE reckless Smart Express bus driver who negligently caused the horrific Rusape Bus Disaster that claimed 46 lives following a head-on collision with a Bolt Cutter bus along the Mutare-Harare Highway has been jailed for a six-and-a-half years.

A total of 59 other passengers escaped with varying injuries in the accident that occurred last year.

Munotyei Cosmas Marembo (50) tried to simultaneously overtake a haulage truck and another small vehicle on a sharp curve disregarding carriage way markings on the road that prohibited overtaking on that stretch.

Apart from the jail sentence, he was barred from driving any motor vehicle for the rest of his life.

After the accident Marembo and his conductor fled from the scene only to hand themselves over to the police two days later when a manhunt was launched.

He pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a serious accident as defined in Section 70(2)(a) of the Road Traffic Act.

He also pleaded guilty to failing to report a serious accident within 24hrs.

For culpable homicide Marembo was slapped with a five year sentence, and an additional 12 months for failing to stop and another six months for failing to report the accident.

The presiding magistrate Mr Shane Kubonera did not suspend any part of the sentence.

Public prosecutor Mr Gift Mutigwa told the court that Marembo encroached into the opposite lane to overtake where the road is clearly marked with two double continuous white lines.

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