The Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court, on September 10, 2024, convicted and sentenced Abdul Chiwaya, 20, and William Chiwaya, 19, to five days of community service for wounding a fellow resident. The two brothers are required to sweep the court premises for eight hours a day.
During the proceedings, Inspector Amos Mwase narrated that on August 9, 2024, the first convict, Abdul, got into a fight with the victim, Ulemu Shaibu, 20, for reasons known only to the two of them. The altercation was reportedly incited by the victim. Although the issue was resolved and both parties reconciled with the help of their parents, Abdul’s younger brother, William, was dissatisfied with the resolution.
A few days later, the two brothers, armed with a hammer, screwdrivers, and knives, set out to find Shaibu in an attempt to seek revenge. They found him near Nthundu Trading Centre, and a heated confrontation ensued. During the altercation, the brothers produced a knife and wounded Shaibu on his left upper arm before fleeing to their aunt’s home in Nkhotakota. Shaibu sustained a minor cut and was treated as an outpatient at St. Martin’s Mission Hospital.
The two brothers were arrested on August 24 and pleaded guilty to charges when they appeared in court.
In his submission, prosecutor Mwase requested a stiffer punishment despite the two being first-time offenders. However, in mitigation, both convicts asked for leniency, stating they had learned their lesson and promised to change their ways.
In his ruling, Senior Resident Magistrate Muhammad Chande agreed with the prosecution. He initially sentenced the two to 12 months of imprisonment with hard labor, but the sentence was suspended in favor of five days of community service at the court premises, as a deterrent to other potential offenders.
The brothers have since begun serving their sentence, under the supervision of court officials.
Abdul and William Chiwaya hail from Chiwaya Village, Traditional Authority Chowe, in Mangochi.
Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi
Public Relations Officer
Mangochi Police Station
Cell:0999-706-525
Email:amina.tepani@police.gov.mw
Website:www.police.gov.mw