Police in Mangochi have arrested a couple suspected of causing the death of eight-year-old Mariam Salade while the husband was teaching his wife how to drive.
The suspects have been identified as Sande James, 51, of Changamile 1 Village, and Zainab Alli Mposa, 40, of Bulayima Village. Both come from Traditional Authority Chimwala in Mangochi District.
Public Relations Officer for Mangochi Police Station, Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi, said the incident occurred on the evening of Sunday, August 9, 2026, along an earth road at Changamile 1 Village in the district.
Daudi added that James was teaching his wife how to drive their Honda Fit motor vehicle, registration number MH 1100A. As they were passing their neighbor’s house, the wife, who does not have a driving license, lost control of the vehicle due to excessive speed. She hit their neighbor’s child who was playing with her friends near the house, and the child was trapped against a nearby building.
“Due to the impact, the victim sustained severe head injuries and was rushed to Mangochi District Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival,” she explained.
Following the incident, the couple allegedly fled the scene. The husband later reported the matter to Mangochi Police, claiming that he was the one driving the vehicle.
However, following thorough investigations, police established the following morning that James had been shielding his wife. This led to the arrest of the duo.
Mposa will appear in court to answer charges of causing death by reckless driving and driving a motor vehicle without a driving license, while James will answer a charge of operating a driving school without being registered.
Meanwhile, police have appealed to the public to refrain from offering driving lessons without proper registration, as this can put lives at risk and lead to serious road accidents.
