Justice denied
When you lose someone you love through an accident in which they are not at fault, the only consolation one can get is justice prevailing and the law catching up with the offender. In as much at it wont bring back the life of your lost one, you at least are guaranteed that such offenders will not walk free and continue to do the same offence and hurt other families too. Justice in Zimbabwe has been torn down over the years. The who’s who of the country seem to walk free from every court case.
The death of Shingie Chimuriwo left a gap in the world of women activism and a bigger one in her family. Shingie died on the 16 March after being involved in car accident with a drunken driver, who instead of stopping at an intersection, flew over it and hit her car on the driver’s side. The case was taken to court, and because this drunken driver is some high profile person in Harare, was merely fined USD400 and set free.
Driving under the influence of alcohol is an offence in Zimbabwe. And if one is found drunk and at the drivers wheel, the law should take its course, resulting in arrest. Worse still, if that drunken driver decides to drive and cause an accident that leads to loss of life or lives, the law should act and they should be charged with culpable homicide. Having such traffic offenders paying fines and getting released will only create a criminal infested country. Of which as Zimbabweans, this is not a scenario we would want.
If the Police are able to enforce laws such as the Criminal and Codification Act and arrest people then why shouldn’t the other laws be implemented in the same way? Imagine if one is to be charged for driving and talking on the cell phone, then we would expect a worse charge for those who cause accidents that lead to loss of life?
Read stories of the occurrence of Shingie’s death written by her husband, Fungai the founder of Zimbojam, Part one and Part two.