Legal expert says State cannot prosecute ambulance driver over presidential convoy
A renowned legal expert says the State cannot prosecute an ambulance driver who cruised past a presidential convoy with two critically ill patients, saying the traffic laws gives both sick people and the President priority on the roads.
The ambulance driver identified as Mustara Mtiramanja was summoned by the police at its headquarters in Lilongwe and was set to meet a senior traffic officer after their bid to arrest him drew anger from all corners of the society.
He has since been suspended from work but police have cleared him .
Police spokesman James Kadadzera said the driver was not arrested but was summoned “for guidance.”
“We wanted to tell him that what he did was not right according to laws,” he said.
But Justin Dzonzi says the traffic laws on Section 123 of the Road Traffic Act gives both the Head of State and sick people in ambulances as well as fire engines a priority on the roads of Malawi.
“However, the traffic laws do not say which one of the two, the President and the sick people should have the priority over each other but common sense tells that the priority should be given to a sick person rushing to hospital for medical attention,” he said.
District Commissioner for Lilongwe Lawford Palani said the ambulance should have given priority to the presidential convoy, saying the president’s security is most important, describing the action by the ambulance driver as indiscipline.
Timothy Mtambo of Human Rights Defenders Coalition called for the amendment of the traffic laws, saying they should be clear that ambulances should be given a priority on the roads over the presidential convoy.
“In fact, these laws of giving a priority to the presidential convoy are archaic and draconian. We just need to scrap them off altogether,” said Mtambo.
In the morning, senior staff from Area 25 Health Centre where the ambulance driver works accompanied him to the police headquarters but were sent back and told to report in the afternoon.
The ambulance driver, Mthiramanja, is facing wild applauds on social media platforms for his heroics, with most contributors hailing his action as “life-saving.”
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Kodi any anthu amene mukukoka nkhani imeneyo mitu yanu ikukoka?
Mbuzi ya D.C.
Anakangoyerekeza kupanga zawozo anakaputa yolakwika Mr IBU Mutharika kkkkkkkkkk
I think mr ibu mutharika had the right of way because he is both sick and “the president”. Tamangowajambulani makatuni awa, shupiti
Ndaseka koma ndamvanso chisoni kwambiri. Chachikulu apa tamphunzira kuti tizilemekeza ambulance 🚑 nthawi zonse. Kachiwiri, fire truck 🚒, kachitatu a police 🚔 ôtenga akuluakulu aboma ndi achitetezo, kenako yellow lights. In other countries these vehicles have different lights on top and distinct sounds.
Well done driver, u r life saver
The state has not said they intend to prosecute, why all this wishful thinking?
So, Nyalugwe you are the state’s spokesperson?????????
As much as the security of the president is important, also the lives of sick people are equally important. This issue should have been handled better. Firstly, the head of security and protocol for the president should relook and rethink the whole travel protocol taking into consideration this scenerio (which is a first of its kind). Secondly, this may give rise to a potential threat to the very life of the head of state if an ambulance is hijacked and used by assassins or mercenaries. Thirdly, this matter must not be politicised but rather serve as a lesson to the… Read more »
Assassin achokera kuti ngati Mr. IBU amakwanitsa kupanga ma whistle stop campaign. Ndani angafune kulimbana ndi already spent-force.
Who cares about mutharika. Arrogant spocjes
Speeches
Ulemu wanu a driver
This ambulance driver should be promoted and Lilongwe DC is stupid and should be sacked. Did we have any comment from NTCHONA himself?
lawford palani mabuzi ako