Gilbert Mutandagari, 50, allegedly hit and killed former Ethiopian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Asrat Wolde.
He was charged with culpable homicide and released on $100 bail after pleading not guilty.
Court heard he was allegedly admiring prostitutes while driving when the fateful incident occurred.
He appeared before Harare magistrate Nomsa Sabarauta.
Prosecuting, Devotion Gwashavanhu Nyagano alleged that on March 1 this year, and at around 4.40pm, Mutandagari was driving a Toyota Hilux registration number ADV 6815 along Third Street going North.
Wolde was walking along the same road on the left side. Mutandagari allegedly drove his vehicle towards the edge of the road where Wolde was and knocked him down.
Mutandagari insisted he was driving “properly” when the former envoy suddenly appeared from nowhere looking lost and confused.
However, the chief witness Douglas Chipiringu blamed Mutandagari saying his eyes were glued on prostitutes lining up the road when the incident happened.
“I wanted to cross Third Street going West; so I crossed the first lane and waited for the other lane to clear since cars were travelling at high speed,” narrated Chipiringu.
“I saw a pedestrian walking on the left edge of the road going north. He was alone with a leather backpack.
“There were a number of girls, about six to seven, on the left side of the road – some seated and some standing.
“The motorist, Mutandagari was driving looking at the girls and his vehicle went diagonally, hitting the man.
“The next thing I heard was the bang of his car hitting the pedestrian.”
The envoy sustained head injuries and was rushed to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.-TheZimbabwemail
