Zambian driver fined K2 million for instigating fatal road accident

Senior Principal Resident Magistrate (SPRM) Court sitting in Mchinji has convicted and sentenced a 42- year – old Zambian national Mr Peter Banda of Yamene Transport to pay a fine of K2, 200, 000.00 for reckless driving in a road accident that claimed five lives in Mchinji

Through the State Prosecutor Assistant Superintendent Saddly Sambo, the court heard that on July 30, 2023, a motor vehicle registration number AJD 1839/ABR 7837T Volvo Truck driven by Peter Banda got involved in a fatal road accident, it collided with a pedal cyclist in its lane, heading-on another approaching motor vehicle registration number MC5392 Mitsubishi Fuso Fighter in the other lane killing all four people on board including one of his passengers in the truck

Appearing before the court, Peter Banda pleaded guilty to his own charge of Causing Death due to Reckless Driving, contrary to Section 126 (4) Schedule C of Road Traffic Act (RTA)

The convict prayed for leniency but when passing sentence,SPRM Rogers Michongwe rebuffed him, proceeded to order the convict to pay a compensation of K350, 000 to each bereaved five families, K200, 000 to a pedalcyclist who sustained serious injuries and K250, 000 as a penalty, all amounting to K2, 200, 000 in sum, or in default serve 18 months imprisonment with hard labour

Mchinji Police is therefore appealing to all road users to abide by road safety measures when using the road to prevent road accidents

Peter Banda hails from Mchenga Village under Chief Mpezeni in Chipata District, Zambia