K50,000 fine for killing two people, Malawi court orders minibus driver

The Balaka First Grade Magistrate court in eastern Malawi has ordered a 21-year-old minibus driver to pay a fine of K50, 000 for causing death of two people due to reckless driving.

Police Prosecutor Constable Christopher Nyirongo told the court that the suspect Mustafa Tambala caused the death of two passengers Mrs Shalom Mwale and the other unknown male person on the night of 12th July, at Chikombola area along Balaka -Liwonde road after he failed to control the overspending vehicle which exceeded seating capacity.

Nyirongo also said Tambala failed to render assistance to victims of the accident since he escaped unhurt which is contrary to 124(1) as read with section 124(5)(a) of Road Traffic Act.

“The suspect failed to exercise control of the vehicle as he exceeded seating capacity of the vehicle which carried eighteen passengers instead of fifteen passengers; and that the motor vehicle had no road service permit which is contrary to section 83 and 85(c) (lll) of Road Traffic Act respectively,” he said.

Tambala pleaded guilty to all the charges.

Passing judgment, First Grade Magistrate Felix Mandala the suspect contributed to the accident because he ignored the advice by the passengers that he was over speeding.

He also said the driver also exceeded seating capacity by carrying 18 passengers instead of 15 passengers and also failed to render assistance to victims of the accident as he escaped from the scene.

Mandala therefore ordered him to pay a fine of K50, 000.00 and in default serve 5 months imprisonment with hard labour. He said he has given him such a sentence so that it should be a lesson to him and would be offenders.

Mustafa Tambala comes from Chikweo village, Traditional Authority Chikweo in Machinga district but resides in Lilongwe; and he has since paid the fine.

The body of one of the passengers who died on this accident is not yet identified and its currently being kept at Balaka District Hospital Mortuary.

Police are therefore appealing to the general public to report to Balaka Police or their nearest Police formation if they are missing a male relative or a friend; who is tall, brown in complexion and at the time of the accident wore a khaki pair of trousers, white long sleeved shirt and brown china sandals.