Musakanda charged with culpable homicide after running over Gwinyai Chingoka
Zimbabwean cricketer Tarisai Musakanda, once touted as a future captain of his country’s national team, has appeared before Harare magistrate charged with culpable homicide.
Musakanda appeared in court after being arrested for running over former Davis Cup player Gwinyai Chingoka who later died from his injuries two weeks later.
Chingoka was run over while crossing Simon Muzenda Avenue. It is alleged Musakanda later filed a police report on January 28 after the death of Chingoka. The post mortem done concluded that death was due to the accident.
Harare magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure remanded Musakanda out of custody to February 22 on free bail.
It is the State’s case that Musakanda failed to keep proper lookout of the road and hit a pedestrian Gwinyai Marcus Chingoka who was crossing Simon Vengai Muzenda due West.
Chingoka allegedly sustained fractures on the left leg and elbow due to the impact.
It is alleged Musakanda stopped at the scene of accident and ferried the injured party to Parirenyatwa hospital for treatment.
The injured party was then transferred to West End Hospital where he later died on January 27 2022.
The accused person failed to report such an accident at a police station within twenty four hours of the occurrence of such accident.
It is alleged Musakanda later filed a police report on the January 28 after the death of Chingoka.
The state alleges that the accused was negligent in failing to keep proper lookout of the road ahead and failing to stop or act reasonably when collision seemed imminent and travelling at an excessive speed in the circumstances.
The incident comes after Musakanda was in 2019 sacked by Australian club New City after he was convicted there for driving under the influence.
The 27-year-old batsman arrived at New City in October 2018 as the New South Wales club’s highest-profile signing in its history.
The Australian state of New South Wales had just introduced new drink-driving laws to tackle accidents and a rising death toll on the roads, with a zero tolerance rule for any range of drunk drivers.
In light of this, New City president Chris Green said the club had to take the strong stand to dismiss the gifted Zimbabwean following his conviction.
The former Marondera High, Watershed College and Prince Edward multi-talented prodigy – who is an all- round sportsman – has represented Zimbabwe in rugby at Under-19 level.
