Court fines driver K480 000 for traffic offences
The Lilongwe Magistrate’s Court on Thursday convicted and fined a 30-year-old man K480 000 or in default serve 21 months in jail for driving an unroadworthy vehicle without a driver’s licence.
The convict, Julius Pofera, was arrested at Area 36 in Lilongwe, driving a minibus registration KU 4203.
During hearing, police prosecutor Bartholomew Adzaonenji told the court that the minibus had exceeded its capacity as it had 20 passengers.
“When asked to produce his driver’s licence, the accused failed to do so. And upon conducting a thorough check of the vehicle, it was noted that it had no road service permit, insurance and certificate of fitness,” he said.
Pofera was subsequently charged with four counts, including driving a motor vehicle without a driver’s licence, driving a vehicle without insurance and driving a vehicle without a certificate of fitness.
He pleaded for leniency, saying he was a first offender with family obligations.
However, senior resident magistrate Shyreen Yona said the accused deserved a stiffer penalty as a measure to curb increasing road accidents and deter other would-be offenders.
Pofera comes from Zuze Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Tambala in Dedza District.
