Man pays K300,000 fine for reckless driving

Malawi: The Mzimba First Grade Magistrate Court on Wednesday convicted and sentenced Benard Nyirenda, 47, of Restoration Logistics Limited to pay a K300,000 fine or be imprisoned for 24 months for causing death by reckless driving.

The court heard that the convict committed the traffic offence on July 17, 2022, near Mzimba bridge along Jenda - Mzuzu M1 road where he caused death by reckless driving to a 54-year-old pedestrian Mdima Kalima who happened to be a fellow Truck driver who was waiting for a lift after his truck ran out of fuel.

The State Prosecutor Assistant Superintendent Peter Piringu also told the court that the convict was driving a Scania Truck with the registration number MZ 25554/RU 9573 from Jenda to Mzuzu on this particular day.

Nyirenda arrived at Mzimba bridge late and was descending the slope when he noticed a stationary vehicle that had broken down.

Nyirenda swerved to the near side dirty verge, and his truck overturned. He accidentally hit Kalima in the process.

Kalima suffered head injuries and leg fractures as a result of the impact. Upon arrival at Mzimba District Hospital, he died.

When he appeared in court, the convict pleaded guilty to causing death by reckless driving.

In mitigation, Nyirenda asked the court for leniency, saying he was saddened by the death of a fellow truck driver. He also stated that he is a first-time offender and that he is the breadwinner for an extended family.

However, in his submission, Piringu asked the court to impose a reasonable punishment on the offender because a life was lost.

First Grade Magistrate Radson Gamaliel, who presided over the case, agreed with the prosecutor's submission and sentenced him to pay a K300,000 fine or serve 24 months in prison with hard labour. The bereaved family will be compensated with K250,000.

He later paid the fine.

Benard Nyirenda is from Bolero Village in the Karonga District's Traditional Authority (T/A) Wasambo.