An Excavator operator is in police cell in the capital Lilongwe for intentionally blocking the M1 road at Kapani thereby endangering safety of persons traveling by road.

The police in Lilongwe confirmed of the arrest in a statement made available to faceofmalawi reporter and identified the suspect as Ephraim Chinkhwangwa.

According to police, Chinkhwangwa has also been charged with driving a vehicle without a relevant driving licence, driving a vehicle with expired certificate of insurance, driving a without Certificate of fitness.

“Facts are that; on the above stated date, time and place, traffic officers from Kanengo Police station were executing their normal traffic checks at Kapani along Kamuzu Procession road. In the course of performing their duties No. B4894 T/Const Nkhwiya stopped a JCB excavator Machine registration number KK 1173 which was being driven by Mr Ephraim Chinkhwangwa.

“Upon checking the vehicle, the officer discovered that the driver had no such class of Driving Licence C/sec 18 (1) and W/O Prdp C/sec 45 (1) of the Act. And in the course of cautioning him, the driver decided to move and park the machine right at the middle of the Road without apparent reason, possibly showing anger to the Police officers,” reads in part the report.

Added the report: “Then the driver deliberately abandoned the machine and stretched its folk both front and rear and blocked the road way completely. Then the driver left the machine unattended which prompted the officers to apprehend driver. Currently the driver has been booked for the above offences and will appear before Court soon. JCB excavator machine impounded at Kanengo Police station.”

Chinkhwangwa hails from Kapamphi Village, Traditional Authority Kabunduli in Nkhata-Bay District who works for ALIMEID Transport, P.O Box 1059, Lilongwe.