The Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court on September 21, 2023 convicted and sentenced Ibra Alfred, 31, and Yusufu Maideni, 25, each to fifteen years imprisonment with hard labour for robbing an Estate Clerk a sum of K3.2 million cash meant for salaries.
The court heard through prosecutor lnspector Shadreck Wisiki that, the victim Stande Chiwonde, a Head Clerk at Namangandwe Estate on December 30, 2022 went to collect the said amount meant for salaries for the workers.
On his way back while on his motorcycle passing through Namangandwe Forest, the convicts who were armed with a pistol emerged from the bush and fired a bullet in the air and the victim fell down from the motorcycle.
Prosecutor Wisiki added that, the convicts threatened to kill him before they fled with a black laptop bag which contained the said cash.
The matter was immediately reported at Namwera Police Post where investigations were initiated which led to the arrest of the first convict at Chiponde in May, 2023 while his accomplice was apprehended in Lilongwe where he was hiding. Police also recovered the pistol.
Appearing in court, the duo pleaded not guilty to the charges prompting the state to parade five witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
In mitigation, they all asked for court’s leniency saying they have family obligations.
In his submission, prosecutor Wisiki said offences committed are serious in nature and that life of the victim would have been lost if he had not surrendered the cash to them.
Passing sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Muhammad Chande concurred with the state.
He therefore sentenced each of them to 15-years imprisonment with hard labour to act as a deterrent to other would-be offenders.
Both convicts hail from Traditional Authority Jalasi in Mangochi district.
lnspector Amina Tepani Daudi
Public Relations Officer
Mangochi Police Station
Cell:0999-706-525
Email:amina.tepani@police.gov.mw
Website:www.police.gov.mw