The Mkukula First Grade Magistrate’s Court on Monday, June 7, 2021 convicted and sentenced a 40 year-old driver, Khumbo Matthews Kalulu, to pay K400,000 fine or in default to serve one year imprisonment with hard labour for causing death by reckless driving.

The court through state prosecutor, Inspector Aufi Ali, heard that on March 11, 2021, Kalulu was driving Honda Step Wagon registration number  KK 8609 from Lumbadzi heading to Kanengo in Lilongwe.

Inspector Ali further told the court that, upon arrival at Central Poultry near Madonna Foundation along Lilongwe – Kasungu M1 Road, Kalulu hit three female pedestrians who were crossing the road.

The three were rushed to St. Luke Daeyang Hospital where upon arrival one Magret Kaimila was pronounced dead due to severe head injuries while the other two pedestrians sustained minor injuries.

Appearing before the court, Kalulu pleaded guilty to the charge of causing death by reckless driving contrary to Section 126 (4c) of the Road Traffic Act.

Passing sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Cecilia Onsewa ordered Kalulu to pay K400,000 fine or in default to serve one year imprisonment with hard labour.

He further ordered that  K100,000 should go to the berevead family as compensation.

Additionally, the court ordered him to pay K80,000 and K50,000 as compensation to Anna Gongweya and Teleza Richard respectively who sustained minor injuries during the accident.

The suspect paid the fine to escape jail term.