Journalist, driver dies in car accident
A road accident in Chitipa yesterday killed Tuntufye FM journalist Ephraim Nyirenda and ActionAid driver McDonald Mkwaila.
They died on the spot when an ActionAid vehicle, registration BR 4136, crashed with a Fuso Fighter lorry at Ibanda around 9am.
Nyirenda was going to represent Nyika Media Club at a meeting on how to achieve equal representation of men and women in elected positions.
Nyika Media Club leader Mandy Pondani said the 34-year-old was dedicated, humble and “everyone’s person”.
She said: “We have lost a seasoned journalist who loved his job and was humble enough to work with young reporters. Most experienced journalists prefer working in cities, but Ephraim accepted to go to Karonga to assist Karonga Diocese establish Tuntufye community radio. As Nyika executive member, he was hard-working and always constructive in his contribution.”
Nyirenda formerly worked with Voice of Livingstonia.
Chitipa Police spokesperson Gladwell Simwaka said Nyirenda was in the front seat of the extensively damaged vehicle when the head-on collision occurred on Chitipa-Karonga Road.
Ronex Chizumila, who was driving the Fuso Fighter towards Karonga, lost control of his lorry and it swerved to the offside where it collided with an oncoming Toyota Hilux double cabin with four passengers on board, said Simwaka.
The two died of severe head injuries and two ActionAid employees—Stanley Mazani, 21, and ChaweziTembo, 38—were treated as outpatients at Chitipa District Hospital.
