Malawi court slaps Rwandan with MK1.2 million fine for reckless driving

MANGOCHI-(MaraviPost)-The Mangochi First Grade Magistrate Court, this week fined a 25-year old Rwandan national with MK1.5 million or in default to serve eight years imprisonment, for reckless driving on the roads of Malawi.

The convict identified as Rukundu Amiabo, committed the crime on May 27 this year, which is contrary to Section 126 (1) 4 (b) of the Road Traffic Act.

According to the Police district’s State Prosecutor, Maxwell Mwaluka, the Court heard that Amiabo, who was driving a utility vehicle pick-up, was involved in an accident at around 7 P.M. at St. Augustine Primary School, Traditional Authority (T.A.) Mponda in the district.

Mwaluka said that the Amiabo was driving from the direction of Mangochi-Boma heading to Monkey-Bay with passengers on board and due to over speeding, he lost control of the motor vehicle, swerved to the extreme other side of the road, where he hit a cyclist who was going in the opposite direction.

The state prosecutor Mwaluka added that following the impact of the accident all the six passengers in his vehicle, were injured.

“They (passengers) sustained deep cuts on the head and multiple bruises on both legs. They were rushed to Mangochi District Hospital for treatment. Upon appearing before Court, Amiabo pleaded guilty and begged for leniency. The Court, however fined him with MK1.2 million or serve eight years in jail with hard labor,” said Mwaluka.

The convict Amiabo conducts business at Ntanga village in TA Chimwala in the district.