Chillmaster’s punishment for killing a pedestrian: US$200 fine, 420hrs community service, monthly grocery, school fees for life plus cows for ngozi

Harare – Prominent Zimbabwean musician Gift Gombarume, popularly known as Chillmaster, has avoided a custodial sentence after being convicted of culpable homicide and driving without a valid driver’s licence in connection with the death of a pedestrian, Custon Charumbira.

Mbare Magistrate Tatenda Mukurunge handed down a combination of penalties, including a fine, community service, and a commitment to provide ongoing support to the deceased’s family.

The tragic incident occurred last month when Chillmaster, who initially pleaded not guilty to both charges, unexpectedly changed his plea to guilty during the trial. The musician was driving from Stoneridge towards town with three passengers on board when he struck Charumbira, who was walking along the roadside from Stoneridge towards MaStep, resulting in his immediate death. The deceased sustained severe injuries, including broken legs and head trauma, and was subsequently buried in his rural home in Zaka.

Following the incident, Chillmaster issued a statement expressing his remorse and regret. “Earlier today, I was involved in a devastating car accident that resulted in the loss of a precious life,” he wrote. “Words cannot express the depth of my grief, remorse, and sympathy for the individual who passed away, their family, and loved ones.” He pledged to fully cooperate with authorities and support the grieving family.

The case took a dramatic turn when Chillmaster, after initially denying the charges, changed his plea to guilty. This unexpected move came after his legal team resisted attempts by the prosecution to produce his driver’s licence or agree on a statement of facts, accusing the State of “jumping the gun.”

On the charge of driving without a licence, Magistrate Mukurunge fined Chillmaster US$200, or in default, four months in prison. On the more serious charge of culpable homicide, he was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, with 12 months suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour. The remaining 12 months were suspended on the condition that he completes 420 hours of community service at Stoneridge Primary School.

During mitigation, Chillmaster expressed his deep remorse and detailed the financial assistance he had provided to the Charumbira family for the funeral. Lucia Charumbira, a family spokesperson, testified that the family had forgiven Chillmaster and implored the court to grant him a non-custodial sentence.

Lucia informed the court that the deceased was experiencing stress at the time of the accident, suggesting that this may have contributed to his failure to see the approaching vehicle. She further highlighted Chillmaster’s significant contributions to the funeral arrangements, including purchasing the coffin, providing food for the mourners, and arranging transportation from Harare to Zaka.

Magistrate Mukurunge, in handing down her sentence, acknowledged the family’s forgiveness and the musician’s commitment to supporting them. “The family, through Lucia Charumbira, said he has undertaken to pay beasts to avoid avenging spirits,” she stated. “He undertook to send the deceased’s children to school and also buy her monthly groceries.”

The magistrate noted that in the victim impact statement, the family had specifically requested that the court not impose a custodial sentence, given their forgiveness of the musician.

As part of his commitment to the family, Chillmaster has reportedly undertaken to provide monthly groceries, pay school fees for the deceased’s children until they complete their education, and provide cattle to appease the avenging spirit, known as “Ngozi” in Shona culture.

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