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Ivan Zhakata Court Reporter
The owner of a bogus driving school in Kadoma has been convicted at Kadoma Magistrates’ Court for distributing photocopied Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) Student Driver’s Handbooks.

The magistrate Mr Takudzwa Gwazemba ordered Doubt Takundwa (40), the owner of DEE TEE Driving School to pay a $100 fine or spend one month in prison.

Takundwa was convicted for contravening Section 59 of the Copyright and Neighbouring Act Chapter 26:05 after he was caught distributing 17 copies of TSCZ Student Driver’s Handbooks.

He, however, pleaded guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor Mr Edson Musara told the court that sometime in October last year TSCZ officers carried out a routine inspection on driving schools when they saw some student drivers using photocopied materials.

Acting on a tip-off, the officers intercepted Takundwa at his driving school and recovered 17 photocopied Student Driver’s Handbooks leading to his arrest.

Mr Musara told the court that TSCZ has a facility whereby approved driving schools can sell original copies of the book on commission.

Further investigations showed that Takundwa’s driving school was not registered.

Meanwhile, TSCZ spokesperson Mr Ernest Muchena urged all aspiring drivers to purchase learning materials from their offices, the Vehicle Inspection Depot (VID) and approved suppliers only.

He pleaded with the public to report any unscrupulous behaviour or corrupt tendencies by driving school owners and instructors to the nearest police or TSCZ offices.