Philemon Dyamini, a 30-year-old examinations officer with the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), has been sentenced by the Fast Track Court in Lusaka to a custodial sentence for dangerous driving that caused a serious road traffic incident involving Chief Justice Mumba Malila. The incident, which occurred on August 30, 2024, along Lusaka’s Independence Avenue, left the Chief Justice with severe injuries, necessitating his evacuation to South Africa for specialised medical care.

In a statement of facts presented by Public Prosecutor Victoria Mtonga, the court heard that Dyamini, driving a BMW at excessive speed, lost control and collided with the Chief Justice’s official vehicle, a GRZ Mercedes Benz, triggering a multi-vehicle crash. Both the Chief Justice and his driver, Ndlovu Newton, were gravely injured.

In count 1, Dyamini was sentenced to 18 months simple imprisonment for dangerous driving, contrary to section 155(1) of the Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002. In count two, he was also fined ZMW 30, 000 for failing to present his motor vehicle and accompanying documents for clearance, in violation of section 10 of the Road Traffic Act, as amended by Act No. 8 of 2022.

In mitigation, Dyamini’s defence lawyer, Counsel Mandela asked the court to consider the nature of the person involved in the road traffic incident and noted that Dyamini had expressed remorse and reached out to the Chief Justice.

However, in passing sentence, Honourable Moffat Phiri took into account the severity of the offence and noted that Dyamini’s vehicle was in good condition at the time. He questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident, highlighting the numerous fatal road traffic incidents in October caused by human error. To deter future offenders, he imposed the custodial sentence, emphasising the need for stricter adherence to traffic laws.