The Makande First Grade Magistrate’s court in Chikwawa on Thursday fined four illegal fuel vendors K100, 000 each or in default to serve 12 months Imprisonmnent with Hard Labour (IHL) after being convicted for illegal possession of liquid fuels contravening section 17 as read with section 42 of Liquid Fuels and Gas Act.
The court also ruled that the confiscated fuel be given to police; local council; and hospital.
The four; 20 year old Paul Mozalande, Chifundo Kamwana aged 35, Exford Mulewa 27 and Luke Mafale 32, hail from Senior Chief Ngabu in the district.
Earlier, court heard through, Sub Inspector, Amos Jobo that each of the convicts was caught with 60 litres of petrol.
“The arrests were made on Wednesday during police patrols around Ngabu trading center,” Prosecutor Jobo told the court
While taking plea all the four pleaded guilt to the charge.
In mitigation, the convicts aligned their factors by stating that they are breadwinners of their families hence engaged into fuel business.
Passing his sentence, Magistrate, Kalumbu Phiri said that the ruling aims to emphasize that the business of buying fuel in large quantities is illegal adding that the tendency also works in disadvantages to others since the fuel is later on sold at higher prices than do pump prices.
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