SA: Zimbabwean driver jailed for deaths of 3 children

By SA Media

SOUTH AFRICA: More than two years after three children were killed when a car struck them in the Jackson informal settlement, a magistrate has found Zimbabwean Desmond Chuma guilty of culpable homicide at Booysens Magistrate’s Court on July 23.

Aluncedo Phahlindlela (10), Buhle Phindani (12) and Phelokazi Bewana (7) succumbed to their injuries on March 23, 2023, while Tshepo Phahlindlela (5) and Didintle Letsholo (13) were seriously injured.

In 2023, Phelokazi was laid to rest on April 5. Buhle was laid to rest in North West on April 9 and Aluncedo in Lesotho on April 22.

Habib found Chuma guilty of three counts of culpable homicide and sentenced him to six years’ imprisonment for each count.

He was also found guilty of the crime of contravening Section 49 (1) (a) of Act 13 of 2002, as he did not have the required legal documents or permits to be in the country.

He received a sentence of five months’ imprisonment for contravening this Act. He will be deported to Zimbabwe on completion of the sentence. His convictions will be endorsed on his future driver’s licence.

The five children were playing near their homes when the vehicle, travelling at high speed, hit them.

It was reported that when the children saw the vehicle, they moved out of the way and stood against a precast wall to make way for the car.

Chuma lost control of the vehicle, hit another car and then swerved in the direction of the children, hitting them while they were leaning against the precast wall.