Senior Resident Magistrate Wanangwa Nyirenda sitting at Lilongwe has convicted and sentenced a 46-year-old Tennis Likaomba, to one year imprisonment for causing deaths of five people by reckless driving, and driving motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
Lilongwe Police public relations officer Inspector Hastings Chigalu said Superintendent Saddrey Sambo, who is the Regional Prosecution Inspector for Central West Region, told the court that Likaomba committed the offences on May 4, 2024 in Mpingu at around 15:00 hours.
Sambo further said that on this day, Likaomba was driving a Nissan Diesel Lorry registration number MG 926A belonging to the Ministry of Justice, from the direction of Mpingu heading towards M’bwatalika along Lilongwe-Mchinji M12 road.
“Upon arrival at Thiwi Leisure Centre, he started overtaking, and in the process he collided head-on with the on-coming Honda Freed Hatchback vehicle registration number BZ 3327, that was being driven by Kelvin Momani (deceased), who had seven passengers onboard.
“Following the impact, Honda Freed driver (Momani), sustained severe head injuries and multiple fractures, two passengers Shadreck and a woman, sustained severe head injuries. They were all pronounced dead upon arrival at Kamuzu Central Hospital. And two more passengers died few days later,” he said
In court, Likaomba who first pleaded not guilty, but later changed to plea of guilty to the offences, asked the court for leniency when passing its sentence saying he is a first time offender for the entire 15 years he has been driving on the road, and that he also has a family he takes care of.
But the State through Sambo, prayed for a custodial sentence saying that paying of a fine will not compensate the souls of the bereaved families.
He also said that fatal road accidents are rampant in the country as most of them are caused as a result of reckless driving, hence need for deterrent sentences.
Sambo further tendered to the court evidence of the convict’s alcohol consumption of 0.82 milligrams, which was over the recommended consumption limit for any driver, this undoubtedly proved to the court that the convict was driving motor vehicle whilst drunk.
Passing his sentence, Nyirenda concurred with the State, and went on to slap Likaomba with a one year jail term, without an option of a fine.
Tennis Likaomba hails from Chilepa Village, Traditional Authority Kwataine in Ntcheu District.
