BLANTYRE, Malawi – Blantyre City Mayor Isaac Jomo Osman is facing possible court action over a K297.8 million compensation demand from motorist Lordmarlven Nechavava.

Nechavava's lawyer, Yankho Kawalewale of Ritz Attorneys-at-Law, says the legal team is preparing court documents after the mayor reportedly failed to provide a formal response within a seven-day deadline.

Osman is accused of assaulting Nechavava with a stick last month at Mount Pleasant in Blantyre following an alleged disagreement over the mayor's handling of a fuel queue.

The lawyer says the failure to formally respond has prompted preparations to commence legal proceedings.

The matter is now expected to move towards court action, although the allegations have yet to be determined through a judicial process.