Asante Rabi bus driver charged with 64 counts

MWANZA: ASANTE Rabi Company driver Shadrack Swai appeared in the Misungwi District Court yesterday, facing 64 charges including reckless driving, after a tragic bus accident in Mwanza Region that left nine dead and 54 injured last week.

The accused appeared before the Misungwi District Court on Wednesday. The prosecution, led by State Prosecutor Ramson Salehe and Senior State Attorney Lilian Meli, charged him with 64 offences.

These charges include reckless driving, causing deaths and causing injuries. The prosecution alleged that Swai’s reckless driving on October 22, 2023, led to a tragic accident involving two buses.

State Prosecutor Ramson Salehe and Senior State Attorney Lilian Meli informed the court that the bus driver had broken the law by violating Sections 41, 63(2)(b) and 27(1) of the Road Safety Act No. 168, as amended in 2002.

Salehe informed the court that the accused is facing 64 charges, including reckless driving on a public road, which resulted in the deaths of nine people, injuries to 54 others and damage to property and infrastructure.

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He explained that on October 22 this year, while driving a bus with registration number T458 DYD, owned by Asante Rabi Company, heading to Arusha from Mwanza the accused carelessly overtook another vehicle without taking the necessary precautions and collided with another bus, registration number T281 EFG, resulting in deaths, injuries and damage to property and infrastructure.

However, after the charges were read, the accused pleaded guilty to all 64 counts. Senior State Attorney Lilian Meli then requested the court to adjourn the case to allow for the preliminary hearing of the accused.

The Resident Magistrate in Charge of Misungwi District Court, Esther Marick, informed the accused that the offence is bailable but the accused failed to meet bail conditions after one of the sureties lacked a valid national identification card (NIDA) and he was remanded until he fulfils the bail requirements.

The case was adjourned until November 5 this year when it will come for preliminary hearing.