The Senior Resident Magistrate's (SRM) court in Mchinji has on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 slapped a hit and run driver, Chikumbutso Kathira, 32, to two years imprisonment with hard labour (IHL), without an option of a fine.
Kathira did not stop after causing a fatal road accident on December 28, 2021 which claimed lives of three people on the spot. However, Traffic Police in Mchinji launched a spirited manhunt and unmasked (exposed) his identity barely a few days later, and arrested him.
In Court, the culprit was answering two counts of causing death by reckless driving, and failing to stop and render assistance to injured persons, contrary to sections 126 (4c) and 124 (c) respectively of the Road Traffic Act (RTA).
SRM Elia Zawanda heard through Police prosecutor, Sub-Inspector Eugenio Yotamu that the road accident happened in the afternoon hours at around 13:30 hrs at Kamwendo village, along the Kapiri-Kamwendo M18 road in Mchinji.
Kathira was driving a Toyota Hilux pick-up registration number BN 8699 when he hit to death female pedestrians namely: Makulata Bruno Alick, 50, and Rhoda Kansepa, 20, both of Geresom village, Traditional Authority Simphasi in Mchinji district.
One pedestrian was carrying a 5-month old baby girl named Beatrice Isaac, whereas the other was pulling a bicycle at the time of the incident.
The two adults sustained severe head injuries, while the baby girl sustained internal injuries.
All the three victims were rushed to Mchinji district hospital whereby death was confirmed upon arrival and the bicycle was extensively damaged.
Kathira pleaded guilty in court, however, the Prosecutor asked for a stiffer sentence to deter other would-be hit and run drivers.
Passing the sentence, SRM Zawanda concurred with the State prosecutor and unleashed a two year jail term, without an option of a fine.
Chikumbutso Kathira hails from Kapalamula village, in Traditional Authority Nyoka, in Mchinji district.