Driver jailed 2 years, banned for life for blocking Mugabe's convoy

A Zimbabwean truck driver was sentenced to two years in prison for blocking the convoy of President Robert Mugabe in the capital Harare, a local newspaper reported on Friday.

According to NewsDay, Joseph Chakanetsa was convicted for careless driving as he blocked the convoy of President Mugabe last Saturday while on their way to the President’s home in Borrowdale.

“Chakanetsa received another 60-day imprisonment for failing to stop after committing the offence and for ignoring directives from Mugabe’s security team to drive to Borrowdale Police Station,” the paper added.

The second part of his sentence read on Thursday had the option of paying a $100 fine for failing to stop and a $200 fine for ignoring instructions from the officers.

His misfortune didn’t end there as he was banned from driving heavy vehicles or public transport for life and his driver’s licence was cancelled.

“Mr. Chakanetsa was sentenced on his guilty plea after telling the court that he did not realized it was the presidential escort that was behind his truck,” the newspaper reported.

“He said the noise from his truck prevented him from hearing the police sirens adding that when he realized he had cut the presidential motorcade, he literally lost his head,” they reported.

The prosecution told the court that “after committing the offence, Chakanetsa sped from the scene and drove through red traffic lights, and at times on the wrong side of the road, with police in hot pursuit until he was eventually arrested.”