Kasungu First Grade Magistrate Court has sentenced a 42-year-old man, Raphael Mvula, to 15 months in prison after he was found guilty of causing the death of an unidentified person through reckless driving and failing to render assistance.

During the hearing, State Prosecutor Steven Majoni Paul informed the court that Mvula hit the deceased on October 21 this year along the dusty Nkhamenya-Chisinga road, near Kapinya village, and abandoned the victim without offering any help.

Appearing in court, Mvula admitted to the charges, including failing to assist the victim, who died on the spot. Prosecutor Paul urged the court to impose a stiff penalty to serve as a lesson to others.

In delivering the judgment, Magistrate Chakaka Nyirenda sentenced Mvula to 15 months in prison, citing that this was his first offense. The magistrate noted the need to balance justice with the opportunity for rehabilitation.

Raphael Mvula hails from Chosalino village, under Traditional Authority Chiwere in Dowa district.