The Mangochi First Grade Magistrate’s court on friday convicted and sentenced a 32-year-old Henry Mukhuli to pay K280,000.00 fine for committing five road traffic offences.
Mangochi police public relations officer Rodrick Maida said Mukhuli fined for the following offences:
(i)Driving on a public road without driving license contrary to section 18 of the road traffic act.
(ii) Driving on a public road without certificate of insurance contrary to section 141 of the road traffic act.
(iii) Using unregistered motor vehicle on a public road contrary to section 11 of the road traffic act.
(iv) Driving a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor contrary to section 128 of the road traffic act and
(V) Reckless/negligent driving contrary to section 126 of the road traffic act.
The state through sub inspector Regina Makwinja told the court that on December 12, 2019 at about 1800hrs, Mukhuli was driving unregistered Honda Fit motor vehicle whilst drunk from the direction of monkey-bay to Mangochi boma.
Makwinja said upon arrival at Palm beach, Mukhuli hit a cyclist with three pillion passengers before hitting a female pedestrian at a distance.
Makwinja told the court that Mukhuli also hit a male pedestrian at Mpondasi trading centre who was crossing the road from left to right hand side.
She said, following the impact one victim at Palm beach sustained fractured right leg whilst five others escaped with minor injuries.
She added that a victim at Mpondasi sustained various degrees of wounds on right leg, back and head.
Mukhuli was arrested and taken to Mangochi district hospital where he undergone liquor test and results revealed that he was drunk.
Appearing before the court, Mukhuli pleaded guilty to charges levelled against him.
In mitigation, Mikhuli asked the court to exercise leniency when passing a sentence to him because he is a breadwinner.
In submission, the state prayed for a stiffer penalty citing that the conduct of the driver is a death trap to other road users.
Passing sentence, First Grade Magistrate Augustine Mizaya concurred with state about the seriousness of the offences. Mikhuli was sentenced to pay K50, 000.00 fine for the first and second counts, K30,000.00 for the third count, K75, 000.00 for the fourth and fifth counts.
Mizaya said he sentenced Mikhuli to pay a fine in order to deter would be offenders.
Mikhuli comes from Lundu village in the area of Traditional Authority Chikowi in Zomba district.
