Dowa Road Accident Claims Life of Prison Inspector, Injures Four
Published on May 17, 2025 at 3:31 PM by Evance Kapito
A tragic road accident in Dowa District on Friday evening claimed the life of a prison officer and left four others injured, including a police officer.
Dowa Police Station spokesperson, Alice Sitima, confirmed the incident, identifying the deceased as Inspector Bertha Mpate Matemba, 39, who was based at Kachere Prison in Lilongwe. She died after the vehicle she was traveling in overturned and collided with an oncoming truck along the Salima – Lilongwe road.
According to Sitima, the accident occurred at Khombe Village when a Mazda Demio saloon vehicle, registration number MHG 10433, driven by Madalitso Matemba, lost control after hitting a pothole. The vehicle swerved to the far right, struck roadside pillars, overturned, and then hit a Hino Ranger truck, registration LL 14086, driven by Kamanga Mbali.
Inspector Mpate sustained severe head injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at Dowa District Hospital.
Also in the vehicle was Constable Amina Black of Kanengo Police, who suffered a fractured right arm, a deep cut on the head, and multiple bruises. Two civilians, Felix Njolomole and Fellesia Donga, complained of neck pains, while driver Matemba sustained a fractured left leg. The truck driver escaped unhurt.
The passengers were returning from a funeral at the time of the accident. All survivors are currently receiving treatment at Dowa District Hospital.
The late Inspector Mpate hailed from Gundaphiri Village, Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi District.
