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.
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I will meet Richard Msowoya in court as friend of court on the side of diceased’s relatives. He must be made to pay for the lives.The hands of the dead man’s relatives should not be tied.Richard get ready for the crime committed here. You will not walk away with this crime.
Pliz Lord Denning educate these people on road RTA. They should not be confused with the courts fine. For better package as compensation, the relative for the deceased can sue the insurance company to get a better package.
Koma zikoli limakomera a chuma ndithu
imagine guys moyo waanthu awili mukaufanizile ndi 50000 Kwacha zoona?am sure apolilisi amene aweludzawo mitu yawo siikugwila period
lives are worth morethan Mk50,000
a polisi ndi Felix Mandala nonse zitsiru. mungalipire moyo wa munthu ndi K25,0000.00 ndinudi agalu
when you travel from kasungu to jenda almost 14 people do board a toyota noah and pass through all the police road blocks just with a k100 per roadblock. apolisi nanu jack kupemphapempha kwanu mumalora ma car kupanga exceeding iya!
At least there is partial justice here. Imagine an accident that occured on 12th July, judgement already done by today 16 July.Killing two people , he has to compensate by 50 mita and 5 month imprisonment.At least. what about the over speeding Msowoya, the speaker. Should I think that Mustafa has seen the four walss of prison because he Yao form southern region. Msowoya apears to above the laws because he is Tumbuka. Please human rights organs, fight for justice here. The speaker must appear ion court of law for him to clear himself in presence of judges not by… Read more »
Personally, I have lost trust in Malawi judiciary system. It is corrupt and money-minded that is the reason they spend time speaking of salary hiking without delivering and serving the nation. It is laughable to deter a thief by giving him a fine. I pity the system. It requires an absolute overhaul. Shame bola traditional courts were more efficient and effective in justice delivery with exception for political hunting.
The police trafic and police at road blocks are also controbuting to overloading of minibuses One day i travelled from lilongwe to Balaka with overloaded minibus but the driver managed to pass through roadblocks trafic police till i reached Balaka