According to Assistant Public Relations Officer for Southern Region Police Headquarters, Peter Mchiza, Chiwasa was arrested on Tuesday along Lali Lubani Road as he was driving a minibus, Toyota Hiace registration number MJ 1204, which was carrying 16 passengers against the recommended 12.

“The offence was contrary to Regulation 14 as read with 167 (2) of Road Traffic Act.,” said Mchiza.

Sergeant Mchiza said Chiwasa was arrested immediately and brought before Senior Resident Magistrate Anne Banda who convicted and sentenced him to six month imprisonment with hard labour or pay MK200, 000 in default. He did not pay.

In mitigation, Chiwasa begged for leniency saying he has a wife and children who solely depend on him and also that he looks after his old parents.

But passing the judgment, Her Worship Anne Banda said Chiwasa deserved a stiffer sentence to serve as a deterrent measure to other minibus drivers, who she said have become unruly on the roads of Malawi.

Last month, minibus drivers and conductors rioted in Blantyre in protest to the new road traffic regulations.