Liwonde Roadblock accident kills one, injures cop
One person died on the spot while a police officer is battling for his life at Machinga District Hospital after a cruising vehicle hit them at Liwonde Roadblock in Machinga on Sunday night.
Machinga Police spokesperson Andrew Mayawo said in an interview the accident occurred around 11:30pm after the driver failed to stop upon reaching the roadblock and ended up hitting the barriers.
Mayawo identified the deceased as Davie Polela, a Forestry Department officer working at the roadblock, while the injured officer is 38-year-old Sub Inspector Francis Chisale.
He said the Toyota Camry, registration MZ 7465, was being driven by the owner, 40-year-old Sunduzwayo Chaula, an Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) employee stationed at Liwonde office.
“The vehicle was coming from Mangochi Turn-off and, upon reaching the roadblock, the driver failed to stop because of over-speeding and ended up hitting the two officers who were on duty,” explained Mayawo.
He said Chaula never bothered to stop to check the situation but the vehicle’s number plate fell off, which helped people to recognise the owner.
“We mounted a man-hunt and found the vehicle alone parked at one of the lodges within the township. However, Chaula later came to surrender himself to police and he is currently under custody,” Mayawo said.
He said Chaula has been charged with an offence of causing death by reckless driving contrary to Section 126 of the Road Traffic Act.
Chaula hails from Sitonya Vinkhumbo Village, Paramount Chief M’mbelwa in Mzimba District.
