Veteran broadcaster Tichafa Augustine Matambanadzo, widely known as Tich Mataz, appeared in court on Tuesday facing a charge of culpable homicide linked to a fatal road accident in Harare.
The 56-year-old appeared before Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai but was not asked to plead. He was summoned to court and released, with the case remanded to May 19 for the start of trial proceedings.
According to prosecutor Charlotte Gomani, the incident occurred on July 27, 2024, along Samora Machel Avenue.
The court heard that Matambanadzo was driving a Toyota Hilux westbound with three passengers when he allegedly struck a pedestrian near Odzi Flats in Eastlea.
The victim, identified as Daniel Uchena, was walking along the roadway when he was hit by the vehicle. He fell onto the tarred surface and suffered fatal internal injuries.
Uchena was rushed to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Prosecutors allege that Matambanadzo was negligent, citing failure to maintain a proper lookout, failure to take evasive action and driving at an excessive speed at the time of the incident.
The accused’s vehicle reportedly sustained damage to the front right bumper and a shattered windscreen.
The matter is set to proceed to trial in May.
The trial comes at a bad time for the legendary broadcaster who got his job back on South African radio, 28 years after being deported for being in the country illegally.
He recently joined Channel Africa, the international broadcasting service arm of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) radio.
