HARARE – Musician Chillmaster managed to escaped jail time following his conviction for driving without a driver’s licence and culpable homicide, after his victim’s family pleaded with the court not to incarcerate him following his pledge to take care of the deceased’s children.
Chillmaster, real name Gift Hombarume, was fined US$200 for driving without a license and two years for culpable homicide, before magistrate Tatenda Mukurunge suspended 12 months on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within five years.
The remaining year was suspended on condition that he performs community service at Stoneridge Primary School.
Hombarume fatally hit Custon Charumbira on April 9 while driving along New Chitungwiza Road.
Coming to his defense, the victim’s family informed the court that Chillmaster had undertaken to look after his victim’s family following the accident, including compensating them with beasts to stave off avenging spirits.
“The family through Lucia Charumbira said he has undertaken to pay some beasts to avoid avenging spirits. He also undertook to send the deceased’s children to school and also to buy monthly groceries,” said the magistrate.
According to the family, the victim had been through a period of personal strife and might thus not have seen Chillmaster’s car as it approached.
The musician pledged to pay school fees for Charumbira’s children until they finished their education.
