A pedestrian and a driver have died while musicians including local hip hop artist Macelba real name Smart Banda have sustained injuries following a road accident that happened today December 4, 2022, in Dedza district.
The driver, Lapieni Malivenji, was driving a Honda Fit vehicle registration number BY 1692 from Dedza district and was driving towards Lilongwe direction with two passengers that included Macelba on board.
According to Dedza Police Station Deputy Publicist Sergeant Cassim Manda, upon arrival at Hinda Turnoff after Chimbiya Trading Centre, the driver lost control of the vehicle which swerved to the extreme verge of the road before hitting a male pedestrian John Namagunda who was coming from the opposite direction.
The vehicle later overturned several times and rammed into an earth wall.
Following the impact, the driver and the pedestrian sustained severe head injuries and were pronounced dead upon arrival at Dedza District Hospital.
Macelba escaped with minor bruises and was treated as an outpatient while fellow musician Lameck Mwenewanda sustained a fractured pelvic and was referred to Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe for further treatment.
Macelba had just performed in Zomba district on Saturday night and on the fateful day was heading to Lilongwe where he was expected to partake in the bridal shower ceremony of his fiancée.
It is believed that the cause of the accident was due to fatigue.
Malawi Police have since advised the general public to have enough sleep before embarking on a journey.
Malivenji hailed from Uliwa village, T/A Wansambo in Karonga district while Namagunda came from Nkalo village in the area of Traditional Authority Nkalo in Chiradzulu district.
