Musician Chillmaster Sentenced to Community Service

By Judith Nyuke

A Mbare Magistrate has sentenced musician Chillmaster to 420 hours of community service for causing the death of a pedestrian by running him over without a driver’s license.

On the first count of driving without a license, Magistrate Tatenda Mukurunge sentenced the Horror hit maker to a US$200 fine or, in default, 4 months in prison.

On the second count, where he was charged with culpable homicide, Chillmaster was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, of which 12 months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.

The remaining 12 months were suspended on condition that he perform 420 hours of community service at Stoneridge Primary School.

During mitigation, Chillmaster, real name Gift Gombarume, expressed remorse and detailed his financial contributions to the funeral.

Called to the witness stand, the deceased’s family spokesperson, Lucia Charumbira, said their family had forgiven Chillmaster.

She said that the deceased was stressed at the time of the accident.

She further informed the court that the musician had assisted the family by purchasing the coffin, providing food for the funeral, and arranging transportation from Harare to Zaka, and she implored the court to grant him a non-custodial sentence.