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Police in Zambia’s Northern Province say they are concerned about rising road traffic accidents involving motorcycles after a crash in Kasama left three people dead.
Northern Province Deputy Police Commanding Officer, Charles Mbita, said the accident involved an unregistered King Lion motorcycle ridden by Joseph Chanda Mutale, 25, of Musenga village in Chief Mwamba’s area in Kasama District.
Mutale sustained multiple head injuries and died at the scene together with two female passengers who were also on the motorcycle, police said.
Mbita said the motorcycle collided with a Toyota Surf driven by Joseph Mubanga, 39, of Brown village in Chief Mwamba’s area, who escaped unhurt.
“The motor vehicle was being driven from the opposite direction by Joseph Mubanga aged 39 of Brown village in Chief Mwamba of Kasama District who escaped unhurt and was assisted by a good samaritan to escape instant mob justice,” Mbita said in a statement on Monday.
Police said the crash occurred after the motorcycle rider allegedly failed to keep to his lane and collided with the oncoming vehicle before falling off the road.
An angry mob later set the vehicle on fire despite the driver not being at fault, police said.
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Traffic police and fire brigade officers who responded to the scene faced resistance from members of the public as the vehicle was burned before reinforcements arrived.
All three bodies were taken to Kasama General Hospital mortuary pending post-mortem examinations.
Mbita warned members of the public against taking the law into their own hands.
“Members of the public are strongly advised to refrain from taking the law into their hands as burning of the vehicle is a criminal offence called ‘Arson’ and attracts severe penalty,” he said.
He also urged motorcycle owners to ensure riders obtained licences from the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) and register their motorcycles with the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).
Mbita added that riders were required by law to carry only one passenger at a time and provide helmets to both the rider and passenger.
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