HARARE-GRACE Mugabe’s son from her failed marriage who hit and killed a pedestrian with his car was Friday convicted of culpable homicide, and is walking free after agreeing to an $800 fine.
Russell Goreraza, 31, pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to two months imprisonment with an option to pay $800 fine.
Harare magistrate Vakai Chikwekwe considered a fine, citing that Goreraza did not waste the court’s time and was a first time offender.
He also said the fact that he had shown remorse could not be out ruled.
He also said the court would have cancelled his driver’s licence if he had not shown remorse.
“The accused is a first time offender who cooperated and did not waste the court’s time. He pleaded guilty to charges against him and is sympathetic.
There was no evidence that the accused conduct was that of gross negligence resulting in the death of the deceased. Had it not been that case, I would not have hesitated to cancel the accused driver’s license,” he said.
The sympathetic President Robert Mugabe’s step son Russell Goreraza apologised before the sentence and continued to apologise after the ruling was passed.
Goreraza, who is a miner, told the court that he earns between $2 000 and $3 000 a month. He also told the court that he was going to pay the fine right away.
Prosecutors’ facts are that Goreraza was speeding and failed to keep a proper look out.
Consequently, he failed to stop or act reasonably when collision seemed imminent.
It is the state’s case that on February 23 this year, around 10 pm, Goreraza was driving his car along Samora Machel Avenue in Harare.
The now deceased, an identified male pedestrian, was crossing the same road and Goreraza knocked him down with his vehicle.
The deceased died on the spot and Goreraza’s BMW windscreen was shattered while the bonnet was dented.
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