Minibus driver fined K50 000 for reckless driving after causing death
The Blantyre First Grade Magistrate Court Thursday convicted and sentenced a min bus driver to MK50 000 fine in default serve six months imprisonment with hard labour for causing death by reckless driving.
Accused Christopher Ntengula 34 of Mtambo village T/A Mulumbe in Zomba, on December 10th 2017 was driving a motor vehicle Registration number NE 4392 Mazda Bongo min bus with 15 passengers(football players) on board from Manase township to Nankumba School ground along Chazunda-Mpemba road in Blantyre.
Upon arrival at St. Vincent Parish and due to over speeding, he hit a young male pedestrian Praise Khwethemule 3 of Kambalame village T/A Nsomba in Blantyre who was crossing the road from the right to the left side.
Due to the impact, victim sustained multiple cut wounds in the head. He was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Postmortem revealed he died of severe head injuries.
Appearing before her worship Dianna Mangwana at the Blantyre Magistrates Court on Thursday 14th December, 2017, Christopher Ntengula was found guilty and convicted.
Passing the sentence, First Grade Magistrate Dianna Mangwana observed with concern that the accused had a responsibility to exercise caution and a duty to protect other road users.
She said much as he was a first offender, the court saw it necessary to convict and sentence the accused to pay MK50,000 fine in default 6 months imprisonment with hard labour in order to deter would be offenders.
Meanwhile, the accused has since paid the fine and walked home free.
Six months only in prison or mk50000 for killing a child? That’s not a punishment. Well, the child’s parents are the ones being punished. He caused death by dangerous driving the minimum term should have been 10 years in prison not six months!! The child is gone for good and you mean mk50000 will be enough compensation? No!! Insurance company should pay the childs family for their loss
Sad. A young life in Malawi is worth only K50.000, probably a 4 day the profit of a minibus . No wonder of so many deaths of innocent
people on Malawi roads. What about stricter laws, serious controls, higher fines. And isn’t a Mazda Bongo approved for 8 passengers only?
Was extra payload and longer braking action considered in the sentence ? But at the end the issue is: ONLY K50.000 FOR A YOUNG LIFE
Mwana wa 3 years amaoloka mseu yekha?????