Driver arrested for causing death by reckless driving

Police in Mulanje have arrested a 49-year-old driver, Kondwani Kapeni, for allegedly causing death by reckless driving of an 18-year-old man, Lawrent Kamwendo of Namitupa Village in Traditional Authority Chikumbu in the district.

The accident occurred on Friday, March 24, 2023 at Sungani Private Clinic which is closer to Chinakanaka Trading Center along Thyolo-Mulanje-Road at around 18:00 hours.

Reports indicate that the driver, Kapeni was driving a motor vehicle registration number NB 3699 and was heading to Mulanje from Thyolo direction.

Upon arrival at the clinic near Chinakanaka Trading Centre, he hit Lawrent Kamwendo (now deceased) from behind while on pedal cycle cycling together with his friend going same direction.

The vehicle also further hit another pedal cyclist, leaving him with different degrees of injuries.

Following the impact, Lawrent Kamwendo sustained severe head injuries and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Chonde Health Centre while his friend who was with him by the name of Steven Majawa sustained bruises on left leg and right hand while Mphatso Banda, another victim on the second bicycle sustained bruises on right leg and elbow.

Meanwhile, the driver was caught by South East Region Traffic officers who handed him to Mulanje Police Station for further police action.

The driver has been charged with three counts which are, causing death by reckless driving, failing to report the accident and failure to render assistant to his victims which all fall under Road Traffic Act.

He will appear before court soon to answer charges leveled against him.

Kondwani Kapeni hails from Mang’omba Village in Traditional Authority Kapeni In Blantyre District.