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Mashonaland Central Minister of State for provincial affairs Advocate Martin Dinha

Elita Chikwati Senior Reporter
A Bindura man who tried to run over Mashonaland Central Minister of State for provincial affairs Advocate Martin Dinha with his Toyota Hilux seriously injuring him was yesterday sentenced to four years in prison.

Kozanayi Chijokwe (30) had pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, reckless driving, speeding and failing to take a proper look-out when he appeared before Bindura magistrate Mr William Bhila but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence.

Mr Bhila sentenced Chijokwe to seven years in jail before three years were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.

Prosecutor Ms Cynthia Matondo and Mr Tendai Deya proved that on June 15 this year and at around 9pm, Minister Dinha was driving his Land Rover Discovery along Bindura-Shamva road on his way from Bindura town to Chipadze Business Centre.

He overtook Chijokwe’s Toyota Hilux pick-up truck with registration number AA1 5712.

Chijokwe accelerated and overtook Minister Dinha while too close to him, thereby forcing him to swerve to the left side of the road to avoid a side swipe.

He drove on and suddenly applied emergence brakes just before the railway level crossing forcing Minister Dinha to apply emergency brakes.

Chijokwe drove on and then indicated to turn right at Chipadze turnoff and ignored Minister Dinha’s signal who was flashing lights to him.

Chijokwe did not respond and instead drove to Aerodrome Shopping Centre where Minister Dinha caught up with him while parked at Aerodrome open space.

Minister Dinha disembarked and approached Chijokwe who was in his vehicle and he went straight towards the former who then dived to save his life.

Chijokwe, hit Minister Dinha with the right side of his vehicle causing him to fall down and as a result he sustained severe injuries on both legs.

A police report and a medical affidavit prompted Chijokwe’s arrest.