Driver fined MK500,000.00 for Causing death In Mzuzu
The Senior Resident Magistrate’s court in Mzuzu has on Friday ordered a 39 year old, Gift Mhone to pay a half million (K500,000.00) fine for hitting and run charges causing death to a 22 year old Edison Soko in what it described as reckless driving of a motor vehicle.
According to the Mzuzu City police Assistant Public Relations Officer, Constable Rose Chipyola, Mhone didn’t stop or reported the accident to any nearest police station within 24 hours.
Chipyola said the court through the state prosecutor, Sub Inspector Fancy Sichali heard that on April 02, 2023 Mhone who was driving a motor vehicle registration number NB 5185 Toyota Sienta hit to death a peddler on M1 Road at Reserve Bank of Malawi near Grace Building.
“Investigations, led to the arrest of Mhone whom the court found guilty, and in his mitigations he prayed for leniency saying he has a big family including orphans to look after,” Chipyola said.
In his submission, state prosecutor Sub Inspector Sichali reminded the court that cases of causing death due to reckless driving are escalating on the roads of Malawi. Worse more the convict did not bother reporting the accident to police therefore the court must accord a rational penalty.
Passing sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Issah Maulidi concurred with the state’s submission and went on sentencing Mhone to pay a fines of: K300,000 in default 8 months, K100,000 in default 5 months for the second count and K100,000 in default 5 months Imprisonment with Hard labour for the third count.
The convict has since paid the fines (K500,000.00) which will be treated as a compensation to the bereaved family.
