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.

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Mapiri
Mapiri
8 years ago

In South Africa, there’s nothing like fine. U straight go to jail for not less that 5 years. Where’s justice in fining someone K100 000

Sekelani wa Sekemini Saka.

Thats not fair guys.something has happened secretely, because you can not have a life recovery with that peace of money.We manage to buy suits with that amount of mount money,so can you think how special is life when we compare?Ok,R.I.P munthu osalakwa.

VIYAZI TEMBO
VIYAZI TEMBO
8 years ago

Malawian life! so cheap, 100k equivalent to r5000, anyway he is a south African driver from a rich nation………………

Zangazatha
8 years ago

Well done court. umenewo ndiye mtengo (price) wa a chawa

NH
NH
8 years ago

With mk 100K fine the punishment is too very mild indeed.
In fact it can not be termed as a punishment at all. The driver deserved a lot more severe punishment for sure. And what about the heirs of victim ? Any compensation for them ?

RHESSO
RHESSO
8 years ago

very sadness

Eye Witness
Eye Witness
8 years ago

Mk100,000.00 is okay. The bereaved family will be compensated through Insurance. What is wrong here? That’s why we pay insurance.

captain
captain
8 years ago

The issue is that police prosecutors always agree with the magistrate first before the case gets to court. In this case the south African driver had a deal in hand known before going to court. Corruption is high in Malawi. It happened to my relative one day where a prosecutor had to delay our court appearance inorder to organise the cash for magistrate and him . After we said we had the cash its when we enter the court and judgement was passed and the guy got suspended sentence.

thinktankmalawi
8 years ago

What a joke….100,000 mk for reckless driving resulting in loss of life…shame

Paradiso
Paradiso
8 years ago

Mr Mphepo, Roads are not for the cars! We need to share the roads with everyone only that in Malawi our roads are very small in width and there is no specific space for a pedestrian.

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