Rupiah's vehicle in accident, driver dies

Rupiah's vehicle in accident, driver dies
By Christopher Miti in Chama
Sat 30 June 2012, 13:24 CAT

FORMER president Rupiah Banda's driver for his advance-party vehicle died on the spot when the vehicle he was driving overturned in Chipembi area in Nyimba district on Thursday.

Nyimba district commissioner George Phiri said the vehicle was heading for Mfuwe where the former head of state was expected to spend his long weekend. Phiri said two other people who were in the vehicle sustained some injuries and were admitted at Nyimba District Hospital while one escaped unhurt.

He said the deceased, Rabson Tembo, who was driving a Nissan Hard body registration number ABV 3359 overturned after hitting into a pothole at around 17: 45 hours.

"When the accident occurred, some people were saying 'RB, RB,' so I phoned Robison Phiri a close ally to Rupiah and he phoned Rupiah Banda. The former head of state later phoned me confirming that the vehicle which was involved in the accident was his. He even told me that the one who has died is Mr Tembo who was on his advance team to Mfuwe," said Phiri.

The former head of state was expected to travel to Mfuwe yesterday