Driver Jailed 2yrs IHL For Causing Death By Reckless Driving, Wounding Police Officer

The Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday convicted and sentenced a 34-year-old driver, Andrew Sawabu, to 2 years imprisonment with hard labour for wounding a police officer and K350,000 fine for causing death by reckless driving.

The court through Mangochi Police Station Prosecution Officer lnspector Amos Mwase heard that the convict had been on the run after hitting to death Peter Juma aged 30 on July 26, 2022 at Mogas Lodge.

Mwase said on this fateful day, the driver was driving unregistered 7 tonne lorry from the direction of Mangochi Boma heading Maldeco.

Upon arrival at Mogas Lodge, he lost control of the motor vehicle due to overspeeding and swerved to the offside of the road where he hit Juma who was walking heading the same direction who sustained severe head injuries and the convict abandoned him at Mangochi District Hospital where he died while receiving treatment and later fled the town after selling the said motor vehicle.

Appearing before court, Sawabu pleaded guilty to all charges levelled against him.

In mitigation through his representative Counsel Smart Khalifa, the convict asked for court’s leniency, saying he has family obligations.

In his submission state prosecutor Mwase cited that the convict disrespected and compromised security agency and his motive of carrying a sharp knife indicated that he had bad intentions all along.

Passing sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe concurred with the state’s submission.

He therefore sentenced him to 2-years imprisonment with hard labour for unlawful wounding and K350,000 fine for causing death by reckless driving.

Michongwe further said that, a sum of K300,000 to be paid as compensation to the bereaved family.

Sawabu hails from Saiti Kadzuwa Village in Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi.