Chenge in the dock over deaths
By AMINA JUMA, 28th April 2010 @ 12:00, Total Comments: 0, Hits: 293
THE Kinondoni Resident Magistrate's Court started hearing a traffic case involving Bariadi West Member of Parliament Andrew Chenge (62) today.
The MP is charged with careless driving. His motor vehicle allegedly knocked a tricycle (Bajaj) and killed two people.
The prosecution side, led by State Attorney Richard Rweyongeza, is expected to parade eleven witnesses in the case -- two of whom testified yesterday. The case was mentioned for the first time in March, last year.
The first witness, Sergeant Solomon, who is a traffic police officer, told the court that he inspected Chenge's motor vehicle (Registration Number T 512 ACD) which was being driven by Chenge himself when the alleged accident occurred.
Sergeant Solomon said that the motor vehicle was damaged during the impact. He told the court that the vehicle got damaged at the front, especially the bonnet, left side indicator, air-conditioner and radiator.
He said that he prepared an inspection report which was handed over to the court as supporting evidence. The second witness, Sergeant Dyego (a traffic police officer), told the court that he inspected the Bajaj tricycle (Registration Number T 736 AXC) and found that it had been knocked from the front. All the seats and other parts of the bodywork were damaged.
He told the court that the rider of the Bajaj, Abdallah Hamis, disappeared immediately after the accident and is still at large. The police are still searching for him.
The defence side, which is led by Advocate Simon Mponda, asked the second witness to explain how the rider of the Bajaj managed to leave the scene of the accident after the accident in which all the seats were heavily damaged.
Sergeant Dyego replied that what he knew was that the rider survived death and disappeared after the accident. The police do not know where he is.
Chenge allegedly committed the offence on March 27, last year, at around 4.30 am along Haile Selassie Road, in Dar es Salaam.
That day, Chenge, who was driving a Toyota Hillux Double Cabin with Registration Number T 512 ACE, allegedly drove recklessly and caused the accident, according to the prosecution.
Apart from allegedly causing the two deaths, Chenge is further accused of causing damage to the Bajaj and driving a motor vehicle without insurance cover on a public road.
The Principal Resident Magistrate, Kwey Rusema, adjourned the case to May 10, this year, whereby more witnesses will give their testimony.
SOURCE: Daily News