A Harare commuter omnibus driver, Malvern Last Chiutsi, 23, has been sentenced to an effective 30 months in prison by the Harare Magistrates’ Court after being convicted of reckless driving, resisting arrest, and assaulting a police officer.
The incident occurred on 4 September 2025 at the intersection of Leopold Takawira Street and Jason Moyo Avenue.
Chiutsi drove a Nissan NV350 through a red traffic light at high speed, cutting across oncoming traffic and putting passengers and other road users at serious risk.
Police officers on traffic enforcement duty intervened, with a sergeant identifying himself and attempting to arrest the driver. Instead of complying, Chiutsi sped off with the officer still inside the vehicle.
Upon reaching Avondale, he stopped, assaulted the officer with a clenched fist, and, with the help of his conductor, threw him out of the moving vehicle before fleeing the scene.
The officer sustained facial injuries and was treated at Parirenyatwa Hospital.
Chiutsi was sentenced on three separate charges. For reckless driving, he received 24 months in prison and had his Class 2 driver’s licence cancelled.
On the charge of assaulting a peace officer, he was sentenced to 12 months in prison, with six months suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
For failing to comply with a police instruction, Chiutsi was fined US$100 (or the equivalent in ZIG), with a default sentence of two months imprisonment if the fine is not paid.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the sentence should act as a strong deterrent to reckless drivers and anyone attempting to obstruct law enforcement officers in the execution of their duties.
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