President Hichilema Calls For Investigation Into Death Of Kabwata MP

President Hakainde Hichilema has called for a thorough investigation in to the death of Kabwata MP Levy Mkandwire, who was killed in a car crash outside his Lusaka home last Thursday. 

Speaking after visiting a funeral home in the city’s Woodlands area, the president said Mr Mkandwire’s death had been unusual and that he expected law enforcement agencies to do a good job in investigating it.

He added that he had been shocked to hear the news of Mr Mkandwire’s death and that his party, the UPND, would greatly miss his presence. The president was thanked by a representative from Mr Mkandwire’s family after he urged them to remain strong and trust in God’s will.

Mr Mkandwire, who was 60 when he died, will be laid to rest on Monday in the Lusaka Memorial Park. 

Investigations into his death are still ongoing, with police searching for a 39-year-old woman called Jane Wale, who was believed to be driving the car which hit the MP. Mr Mkandwire was stopped in his car at the gate of his house, when a BMW X5 ploughed into his vehicle and knocked him against a pillar. He sustained injuries to his head and leg and was being taken to University Teaching Hospital for treatment when he died.

Transport and Logistics Minister Frank Tayali has instructed the Road Transport Safety Agency (RTSA) and the police to speed up their ongoing interventions to reduce road traffic accidents. 

The minister said RTSA and the police should introduce incentives to enhance road safety awareness among motorists, particularly on the dangers of speeding. He noted that in recent years most fatal accidents have occurred on the Great North Road between Lusaka and Ndola. He said that government was concerned about the conditions on this section of road and would begin construction of the Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway in earnest. 

Mr Mkandwire is believed to have been hit after the driver of the other car lost control of the vehicle due to excessive speed. A minute’s silence was observed in parliament last week to mark his death.