Mangochi First Grade Magistrate Court has convicted and sentenced Perezu Frank 25, to 24 months imprisonment with hard labour for causing death by reckless driving.
During court proceedings, Eastern Region Prosecution lnspector (RPI) Assistant Superintendent Peter Piringu told the court that on the morning of January 28, 2021 Frank was driving Isuzu ERF tonner lorry registration number MH 6843 within Mapira location.
Upon arrival at the house of Patricia Wisiki (one of the deceased) Frank who has no driver’s licence lost control of the motor vehicle and went to the extreme nearside where he hit the two people who were resting in a shelter.
Prosecutor Piringu added that, following the impact Happy Pasiya, 8, sustained internal injuries and died the following day whilst receiving treatment at Mangochi district hospital.
The other casualty Patricia Wisiki sustained fractured right leg and was admitted at the same hospital and died three weeks later.
Appearing in court, Frank pleaded guilty to the charges which were leveled against him.
In mitigation Frank asked for court leniency stating that he is a breadwinner for his family. However, the state objected his appeal saying that his behavior costed innocent people’s lives.
Passing sentence, First Grade Magistrate Roy Kakutu concurred with the state and ordered him to pay K300,000 for reckless driving and in default 12 months IHL. He was also ordered to pay K100,000 for driving a motor vehicle on a public road without driving licence, and in default 12 months IHL.
The accused person has since been thrown into prison after he failed to pay the fines and sentences to run consecutively.
Perezu Frank hails from Nlota village Traditional Authority Chowe in Mangochi.
Sub Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi
Deputy PRO-Mangochi Police Station
Cell:0999 706 525
Email:mamateps1152@gmail.com