Community service for Stunner, as rapper escapes jail

By Fungai Lupande

Hip-hop artiste Stunner, real name Desmond Chideme, was yesterday sentenced to perform 210 hours of community service for negligent driving.

Chideme (36) is expected to perform the community service at Greendale District Offices. Harare magistrate Ms Nomsa Sabarauta ordered Chideme to pay a fine of $150 with an option of three months in prison for driving without a driver’s licence.

In passing sentence, Ms Sabarauta said she considered that Chideme is a first offender, who pleaded guilty showing contrition. “He is a family man and bread winner, therefore incarcerating him would be a harsh sentence,” she said.

“However, people who drive without a valid driver’s licence should be accountable. Driving without (a) valid driver’s licence is leading to many road carnages.“In this offence, the accused was travelling at high speed, an indication of negligence. At all times, celebrities should strive to abide by the law.”

Chideme rammed into four parked cars while driving a Toyota Lexus registration number ADG 3577.The prosecutor Mrs Devoted Gwashavanhu-Nyagano said on June 20 this year, Chideme was driving along Jason Moyo Avenue. He lost control of the vehicle and it veered off the road to the right side and hit four vehicles in a parking bay.

The cars, a VW Golf, two Toyota Rav 4 and a Toyota Tercel were seriously damaged. As a result of the accident, a fifth car hit a pedestrian, Douglas Sachikonye, who was walking on the pavement.Sachikonye suffered a fracture on the pelvis. Another pedestrian Norest Murungweni sustained minor injuries during the accident.

Chideme’s car hit a precast wall at Old Mutual building, causing extensive damages. He was negligent in failing to stop or act reasonably when a collision seemed imminent.He also failed to keep a proper lookout and to keep the vehicle under control. The Herald