Fatal Fare Fury: Private taxi driver jailed for passenger death

A private taxi driver has been jailed for five years for culpable homicide in the death of a customer, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is reporting.

Isheunesu Moyo (30) from Madhuve Village, Mberengwa was arraigned before the Zvishavane Magistrates’ Court facing culpable homicide charges.

It is the state’s case that on the 23rd day of May 2021, Moyo picked up the now deceased. He was driving his Toyota Funcargo which he also uses as a private taxi.

The victim requested to be dropped off at the number 1 bus stop along Zvishavane-Mbalabala road.

Moyo charged the victim USD90.

It was when the now-deceased reached his destination he refused to pay the agreed fare that the matter took a dark turn.

Moyo refused to drop off the customer and drove him to a taxi pickup point on Goddard Road near Pick and Pay Supermarket in Zvishavane. There, he mobilised his team, who are touts, to help him recover his money. In the scuffle, Moyo was overpowered, at which point the now-deceased attempted to make his escape.

Moyo picked up a stone and threw it at him, hitting the back of his head. He lost balance and fell on Goddard Road, where he was hit by an oncoming Columbia Freight liner truck.

He was certified dead upon arrival at Zvishavane District Hospital.

The accused person was sentenced to seven years imprisonment of which two years were suspended for five years. He will serve five years effective.