The court heard through Prosecutor Ishmael Abubast, that on September 26, 2021, at Makwasa estate, Malata lost control of a Vannet Minibus registration number BY 9273 on his way from Thekerani to Thyolo Boma.

Prosecutor Abubast further said due to overspeeding Malata, swerved to the extreme offside of the road where he hit a pedestrian Isaac Mahekula, who sustained severe head injuries and died at Thyolo District Hospital upon arrival.

"Upon arrival at Makwasa estate, due to over speeding, Malata lost control of the motor vehicle and swerved to the extreme offside of the road where he hit a pedestrian Isaac Mahekula who was walking from the opposite direction.

"Due to the impact Mahekula sustained severe head injuries and was rushed to Thyolo District Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival," Abubast said.

In mitigation, Malata asked for leniency stating that he is a bread winner for his family.

However, the state objected his appeal while justifying that the convict's reckless driving claimed an innocent person's life.

Passing judgement First Grade Magistrate Kondanani Chinangwa concurred with the state and ordered him to pay K400,000 for causing death by reckless driving and K200,000 for driving without licence to act as a deterrent to other careless drivers.

Malata hails from Mzuwa village traditional authority Nchilamwera in Thyolo district.