* As five die and 12 injured in Mangochi after being hit by a speeding motor vehicle whose driver lost control of
* It hit a group of people who were dancing in celebration of traditional initiation ritual (chinamwali) while occupying both sides of the road
By Duncan Mlanjira
Police in Mangochi have strongly advised members of the public to refrain from dancing, gathering or conducting any activities on extremely busy main roads as this poses a serious danger to their lives and other road users.
Advertisement
This is emphasised by Mangochi Police Station public relations officer, lnspector Amina Tepani Daudi when reporting of a road accident that claimed the lives of five people while 12 others sustained injuries.
lnspector Amina Tepani Daudi reports that the 17 people were among a group of people who were dancing in celebration of traditional initiation ritual (chinamwali) while occupying both sides of the road.
The tragedy, that claimed the lives of two males and three females, occurred in the early hours of this Sunday, August 30, at Lundu Village along the Arthur Peter Mutharika Highway towards Mangochi.
Daudi indicates that the accident involved a 2-ton Toyota Dyna registration number MH 5071, driven by 47-year-old Nsami Mwale, who was travelling from the direction of Liwonde towards Mangochi Boma transporting soda drinks.
He is reported to have approached Lundu Village at excessive speed and allegedly lost control of the vehicle before hitting the group of people who were occupying both sides of the road.
“Following the impact, the five pedestrians sustained severe head injuries and were pronounced dead on arrival at Mangochi District Hospital,” reports Inspector Daudi.
She identifies the three women deceased as Zainab Mmadi (16) of Chiganga Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Chimwala; Pilirani Henry (36), of Kudamba Village, T/A Mlumbe in Zomba; and Fatima Wotchi (13), of Mtami Village, T/A Chimwala.
The two males are yet to be identified, who are believed to have been among the drummers during the celebratory event.
They are being kept at Mangochi District Hospital mortuary pending identification by their relatives — while the other 12 pedestrians who sustained injuries of varying degrees and are receiving treatment at the same Mangochi District Hospital.
The driver is in police custody and is expected to appear before court upon completion of paperwork and other necessary formalities
Thus, while cautioning the public from being careless on the busy roads of the magnitude of the Arthur Peter Mutharika Highway, the Police also warn motorists to always exercise caution, reduce speed, and remain alert, especially when driving at night and through populated areas.
Just in 2024, farmers in Karonga District were warned against their tendency of drying their rice produce on-M1-Road — which is a common occurrence across the country.
The reckless behaviour of pedestrians of not being alert is evident everywhere, and along the Arthur Peter Mutharika Highway, they are several trading centres where traders display their products right inside the road’s shoulders — thus narrowing the two lanes into one.
This is as since stationery passenger commuter minibuses park on both sides of the road in front of the traders.
Mpemba, Village in suburb of Blantyre, Street market day, Malawi, Africa. Street markets appear on most days sequentially in villages around Blantyre and most larger conurbations. Malawi, the landlocked country in southeastern Africa, is a country of highlands split by the Great Rift Valley and the huge Lake Malawi, whose southern end is within Lake Malawi National Park and several other parks are now habitat for diverse wildlife from colorful fish to the Big Five. Cape Maclear is known for its beach resorts, whilst several islands offer rest and recreation.
An African market on the roadside in Ckiwawa, Malawi, Africa.
The same happens everywhere, including the most busy M1 Road between Blantyre and Lilongwe.
The pedestrians hold the wrong belief and assumption that they are visible enough for motorists and when hooted at, they retort; “ndigunde ukandilipira (hit me, you will still compensate me”).
Advertisement