Lilongwe, July 28, 2015: The Lilongwe Magistrates Court on Monday fined Rodgers Banda, a Zambia national K150, 000 for causing death by reckless driving that killed one pillion passenger, contrary to section 126 (4c) of the Road Traffic Act.
The court heard that the defendant, aged 55 years and hails from Goolo village in the area of Traditional Authority Mzamani in Chipata, Zambia; on 23rd July 2015 at about 23:00 hours recklessly drove a Scania bus registration number ALT 8154 travelling from Zambia to Lilongwe’ which resulted into hitting unregistered motorcycle: thereby killing a pillion passenger identified as Ndapita Thengoliweta.
Banda pleaded guilty to the charges but through his lawyer Mkandawire from Mvalo and Company asked the court to be lenient with him when passing judgment since he was first offender and that the case was misdemeanor.
“Your Worship, my client is a first offender and is HIV positive. He has recently lost his brother and is looking after not only his children but his brothers as well totaling to 7 and are all school going students,” said Mkandawire in his mitigation.
But on this note, State prosecutor, Senior Superintendent Cecilia Zangazanga said loss of life deserves a stiffer punishment and that Banda contributed to the numerous road accidents that are currently occurring in the country due to reckless driving.
Passing judgment First Grade Magistrate, Boswell Kamphonda slapped Banda with a fine of K150, 000 which he paid.
Confirming the incidence in a separate interview with the Malawi News Agency (Mana), Lilongwe Police Station Public Relations Officer Inspector Kingsley Dandaula said the bus belonging to KOBS Transporters Limited in Zambia has since been released from Lilongwe Police.
The deceased Thengoliweta, aged 20 hailed from Thengoliweta village in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Malili in Lilongwe district.
