Malawi court fines South African driver for killing a pedestrian

The Balaka First Grade Magistrate’s in court in eastern Malawi has ordered a South African driver to pay a fine of K100, 000, for causing death due to reckless driving.

The court heard through the state Prosecutor Sergeant Lawrence Mchalisoni that the 21-year-old Sibiya Mulungusi hit a 26 year-old pedestrian Steven Alfred last Friday due to reckless driving.

The suspect who was in the country for business, pleaded guilty to the charges that followed the incident which happened at Mpale area along Mangochi – Liwonde road.

First Grade Magistrate Felix Mandala said that it’s unfortunate that the country is losing a lot of people in what could be preventable road accidents due to reckless driving.

He therefore ordered Sibiya Mulungusi to pay a fine of K100, 000.00 and in default serve 12 months imprisonment with hard labour. Magistrate Mandala also ordered that the bereaved family should be compensated through insurance.

The suspect has since paid the fine.

Meanwhile, station traffic officer for Balaka Police Assistant Superintendent Julius Phiri has called upon drivers and all road users to observe road signs if they are to control road accident.

Phiri said in month of July alone, 19 cases of road accidents were registered in Balaka district alone in which seven people were killed.

“Most of these accidents happen during night time and this is because most drivers do not observe road signs and end causing road accident due to reckless or negligent driving,” he said.

He asked road users not to observe the rules for fear of traffic police officer but should observe the law at all times.