43 year old man identified as Maxwell Mathande is in police custody after he killed four primary school children and injured one with a speeding car he was driving along Zomba-Limbe road on Tuesday.

Joseph Sauka, the Eastern Region Spokesperson has confirmed the incident and said the injured child is receiving treatment at Zomba central hospital.

According to Sauka, the accident happened at 5 miles when the driver of a motor vehicle registration number SA 3170, a Toyota Corolla was going towards Limbe from Zomba.

“He lost control of the vehicle due to over speeding and went to the extreme far side of the road and hit the five children who were going back home from Chikala primary school.

“Four of the children died on the spot while one is in critical condition at Zomba Central Hospital,” he said.

The driver has since been charged with an offence of causing death by reckless driving contrary to section 126(4c) of Road Traffic Act (RTA) and will appear before court soon.

The deceased children were identified as Ellena Odilo, 10, James 11, Faith Mussa 5 and Wilson Mtila 8, who were pronounced dead just upon their arrival at the hospital.

The other child is Chisomo Mtaukira aged 9, who is in the hospital right now.

All the children hailed from Tawakali village, TA Chikowi in Zomba.