Irate communities dig M3 Road over accident

Irate communities from Somba Village in Senior Chief Malemia’s area in Zomba on Wednesday blocked and dug part of the Zomba-Liwonde Road at Domasi in protest against a road accident which left a girl injured.

Somba Market chairperson Charles Makiyi attributed the accident, which occurred around 4pm as the girl was crossing the road, to reckless driving of a minibus driver.

He said: “The girl was hit at a zebra crossing as the minibus driver failed to slow down. She sustained a leg and arm fracture. She is currently admitted to Zomba Central Hospital.”

Makiyi said the fracas erupted because last week, another vehicle hit a woman and a boy on the same spot, with the boy sustaining serious injuries.

“What we need are rumbles, humps and road signs on both sides of the market to alert road users that there is a busy market here,” he said.

During the Wednesday fracas, the irate villagers dup up the road across it’s width and blocked it with stones, bricks and trees making it impossible for motorists to drive past. They also burnt tyres and smashed vehicles of unsuspecting motorists.

Traffic Police swiftly arrived on the scene and diverted motorists to pass through Domasi Works through Domasi Prison to join the main road at Mifumo near Namwera Turn-off.

The police later dispersed the irate communities with tear gas and reopened the road.

In an interview, Zomba district commissioner Emmanuel Bambe acknowledged lack of rumbles, speed humps and road signs as some of the factors that have led to accidents on the spot.

He said: “We have petitioned Malawi Roads Authority to swiftly come to construct the rumbles, humps and road signs to reduce accidents on that spot which is a busy place.”

Attempts to talk to Eastern Region Police proved futile as their phones went unanswered.