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The Principal Resident Magistrate’s Court in Mzuzu on October 23, 2023 has convicted and sentenced a 21-year-old driver to pay a fine amount of K2, 400, 000. 00 (two million, four hundred thousand Malawi Kwacha) for causing death by reckless driving.
State prosecutor Senior Superintendent Moja Phiri identified the convict as John Banda who committed the offense on Mother’s day celebration 15 Otcober, 2023.
Phiri told the court that during that day, the driver was speeding beyond limit as he was coming from Nkhata-Bay heading Dwangwa with 14 women and a male conductor he carried in a Toyota Hiace registration number CA 822, that resulted into his failure to negotiate a bend at Kapesya river.
The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle which ended up plunging into the river. Eight people succumbed to tragic death while others sustained serious injuries.
The driver who as well sustained seriously injuries remained in police custody at Nkhata-Bay District Hospital until he got better when he was taken to court where he pleaded guilty to charges levelled against him.
Following his own plea of guilty, the court eventually convicted him.
In submission, prosecutor Senior Superintendent Phiri asked the court to pass a deterrent sentence against the tendency of breaking traffic rules and regulations most drivers.
In mitigation the driver prayed for leniency saying he has a fracture on his arm.
Passing sentence, Principal Resident Magistrate Clemence Chamwenda quashed the mitigating factors and concurred with the state.
Chamwenda finally ordered Banda to pay K300, 000. 00 fine on each count that summed up to 2.4 Million Kwacha. The magistrate further said failure to pay the fine, he will serve 30 months jail term on each count.
John Banda who hails from Mbona Village, traditional authority Kanyenda in Nkhotakota has not yet paid the fine and he is being kept at Mzuzu prison.
