Disgruntled passenger pleads not guilty, fails to defend himself

A disgruntled passenger who last week drove off a minibus in Dedza because of delays to start off by the driver has pleaded not guilty to the charge of motor vehicle theft.

However, in court, 33-year-old Joseph fake failed to defend his actions, saying he made a mistake to drive off the vehicle without consent from the owner.

Senior resident magistrate in Dedza Clement Chamwenda is expected to pronounce judgment on Friday.

He remains remanded to Dedza prison.

Fake accused the minibus crew of keeping passengers for so long at Chimbiya in Dedza.

The minibus, registration number DZ 8178 belongs to Tawope Amene Alibe Investment.

Manda said Fake was coming from Lilongwe going to Tsangano in Ncheu where he was o repair a vehicle.

“The minibus he had boarded in Lilongwe turned back at Linthipe 1 trading centre and he boarded the minibus in question which was being driven by Austin Kalulu at 2pm.

The driver left the keys on the ignition and went away looking for passengers to fill the minibus. Foke horned the driver and his conductor four times, to tell them they needed to start off but the crew ignored him,” said Manda.

Prosecutors said Fake was irritated and felt provoked so he started off the car with seven passengers on board and managed to drop off the passengers on the way.

At Kalinyeke, after dropping off a passenger, another minibus blocked his way as he was about to start off.

Kalulu and his conductor alighted from the other minibus and took Fake to Dedza police station.

Fake hails from Kavala village in Chief Samala’s area in Balaka.

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