Dangerous Lundazi driver fined KR4,800.00

Dangerous Lundazi driver fined KR4,800.00
Chipata, June 12, 2013, ZANIS….. The Chipata high court has fined a
thirty nine year old man of Lundazi KR4,800.00 or in default nine months

simple imprisonment for causing death by dangerous driving.

Before High Judge Dominic Sichinga was Given Tembo of William
compound in Lundazi district who pleaded guilty to the charge.

Facts before the court were that Tembo on 19th July, 2012, caused the death of eight
people whilst driving a Mercedes Benz truck registration number ABD
3161 along the Lundazi-Chama road.

The offence is contrary to the laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that on the material day Tembo failed to
negotiate a corner on the Lundazi-Chama road resulting in the trailer of the truck hitting
into an oncoming Toyota Hiace Minibus which was carrying 17 passengers
travelling to Chama from Lundazi.

The court heard that after being hit, the minibus careered off the
road and seven passengers died on the spot while one died at Lundazi
hospital.

In mitigation Assistant Senior State Advocate, Kims Banda, pleaded
with the court to exercise maximum leniency on the convict.

Mr. Banda said the convict was very remorseful that the accident
caused eight lives adding that it was the reason why he
pleaded guilty without wasting the court’s time and resources.

He said that after his arrest, the convict was remanded in custody for
over two months as bail was initially denied.

Mr. Banda noted that even the company that the convict worked for,
Aliboo Company Limited assisted the bereaved families with funeral
expenses.

He said the convict had also not received a salary for the past six
months as he was told to stop reporting for work pending the
conclusion of his case.

‘’ My Lord, I am also informed that the convict has not only been
asked to stop reporting for work pending conclusion of the matter but
has not received any salary for the past six months,’’ Mr. Banda said.

He said the company had been asking him to wait for further
instructions regarding the matter and did not know his fate after the
matter was concluded.

And judge Sinchinga said he had taken into consideration the
mitigation made notwithstanding the fact that people died as a
result of over speeding, adding that, the deaths could have been
avoided.

He ordered that the convict’s licence be suspended until further
notice and also that he immediately pays K 4, 800-00 to the bereaved families,

or in default he serves nine months simple imprisonment.