Lusaka man fined K3,000 for causing death by dangerous driving

GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA writes

THE Lusaka High Court has fined a 30-year-old Lusaka man K3,000 for causing death by dangerous driving.

Before Lusaka High Court Judge Mathew Chisunka yesterday was Willie Simwanza, who readily pleaded guilty to the charge.

Particulars of the offence are that on March 11, around 20:45 hours, along Great  North road, Simwanza  who was driving a Mitsubishi  Canter registration number AHB5776 ,  did cause the death of a pedestrian Jason Phiri, 97.

Simwanza was driving in a manner which was dangerous to the public and other road users having regard to all the circumstances to the case including the nature, condition and use of the road and the amount of traffic which was actually at the time on the road or which might reasonably be expected to be on the said road.

In mitigation read by Legal Aid Board counsel Kambone Bukali, the accused  pleaded with the court for leniency, that he was a first offender, family man with a child and youthful.  And that he readily pleaded guilty therefore did not waste the Court’s time and was remorseful.

“My lord, he informed me that when the accident occurred, he reported himself to the police. He bought the coffin of the deceased and food at the funeral and provided transport. He gave the family of the deceased K8,000,” said Ms Bukali.

After hearing mitigation, Justice Chisunka slapped a K3,000 fine to be paid within 30 days or in default serve six months simple imprisonment.