Senior Resident Magistrate Court in Zomba on 19 December, 2024 convicted and fined an ambulance driver, Chikumbutso Mwantalura, 42, to pay K400 000 for causing injuries due to reckless driving.

According to Deputy Public Relations Officer for Eastern Region Police, Sergeant Tionge Kayenda, Mwantalura committed the offence on January 12, 2024 when he was driving a Toyota Hiace ambulance registration number MG 619 from Zomba District Health Office (DHO) to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Blantyre with 12 passengers on board.

Kayenda added that upon arriving at 5 Miles, the driver started overtaking from the offside motorcycle and in the process collided with the oncoming Toyota Crown registration number BT 10471 which was being driven by Ivine Manase who was going to Zomba.

“The ambulance was gravely damaged after the collision which made 10 passengers sustain minor injuries while 2 escaped with serious injuries. Additionally, two patients died on the scene due to delays after the accident,” hinted Kayenda.

In her judgement yesterday, Senior Resident Magistrate Mercy Bonongwe said that ambulance drivers are not exempted from traffic rules and she therefore convicted and sentenced Mwantalura to pay K400 000 or serve a 2-year jail term in default.

Mwantalura hails from Mtutuma Village, Traditional Authority Kumtumanji in the district.