Runaway driver gets 4 counts
THE driver, who allegedly ran away after causing the accident that resulted in a teacher losing a leg, has been slapped with four counts of dangerous driving, among them unlicensed driving.
However, trial failed to take off yesterday in the Lusaka Fast Track Court after a lawyer representing the driver, identified as Mirphin Tembo, sought an adjournment.
Tembo, a 22-year-old student of house number 39, Emmasdale police camp, ran away after causing the accident which has left 27-year-old Paul Njovu with one leg.
When the case came up before Magistrate Austin Mubita for commencement of trial, public prosecutor Robert Malama told the court that the State was ready to proceed with four witnesses but Tembo’s lawyer, only identified as H Mulenga, applied for an adjournment as he had another case before Lusaka High Court Judge Sunday Nkonde yesterday morning.
Mr. Malama did not object to Mr. Mulenga’s application after which the case was adjourned to April 10, 2018. In the first count, Tembo is charged with dangerous driving contrary to section 155 (1) of the Roads and Road Traffic Act number 11 of 2002 of the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that on February 4, 2018 in Lusaka, Tembo drove a Toyota Corolla registration number AJB 4293 on a public road namely junction of Kachenjela road and Florida street (notoriously known as Devil street) in a manner which was dangerous to the public and other road users.
In the second count, Tembo is charged for failing to report an accident, contrary to section 211 (1) (2) (3) of the Roads and Road Traffic Act number 11 of 2002 of the Laws of Zambia. Particulars of offence are that on the material date Tembo drove the same vehicle on the public road and failed to report the accident he was involved in.
In count three, Tembo is charged for failing to render assistance to the injured person, contrary to section 210 (1) (3) and section 225 of the Roads and Road Traffic Act number 11 of 2002 of the Laws of Zambia. Particulars of offence are that Tembo drove the Toyota Corolla on the same public road and failed to render assistance to the injured person after having been involved in the road traffic accident.
In the fourth count, Tembo is charged for unlicensed driving, contrary to section 56 (1) of the Roads and Road Traffic Act number 11 of 2002 of the Laws of Zambia. Particulars of offence are that on February 4, 2018, Tembo drove the Toyota Corolla on the public road without a driving license authorizing him to drive a vehicle of that class or description.
And in an interview after the adjournment, the victim Paul Njovu said he was feeling better but that his current state was challenging.
“But I am trying, hoping that if I am compensated that way it will help. It will not replace the damage but at least it will help with the challenges I am facing. I am still thinking of going ahead with my profession as a teacher,” Mr. Njovu said.