The Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court on Saturday, September 28, 2024 convicted and sentenced Saidi Haji, 25, to Eight years and six months imprisonment with hard labour for committing robbery.
During court proceedings, state prosecutor Inspector Shadreck Wisiki told the court that, on October 4, 2023 Haji and his six accomplices attacked Tadala Twaha, 29, who operates Mukuru money transaction at Mchocholo area while on her way from Mangochi Boma where she went to collect a sum of K2.8 million meant for business.
The assailants who were using a white Toyota Chasser registration number KA5891 sprayed some chemicals into Twaha’s eyes before they cruised away with the said cash which was in a hustle bag.
The matter was reported to police who initiated investigations which led to the arrest of four(including Haji) while the other three including the sister to victim are still at large. It was revealed that the victim’s elder sister was the one who organized the robbery mission. It was also established that Haji hired the said motor vehicle and after the robbery he repainted to black and white in order to conceal the evidence without the owner’s consent.
In mitigation, the convict who was represented by Counsel Tepeka pleaded not guilty prompting the state to parade Five witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
In his submission, prosecutor Wisiki justified that the convict and team planned very well and benefitted from the robbery hence prayed for a custodial sentence.
Passing sentence Senior Resident Magistrate Muhammad Chande concurred with the state hence sentenced him to 8½ years imprisonment with hard labour.
Meanwhile, one of the accomplices(Andrew Sawabu) was sentenced to 7-years in April, 2024 while Jimmy Nyengera, 31, and Ayami Kanamauta, 43, were acquitted.
Haji hails from Mwanyama village, Traditional Authority Mapira in Mangochi.
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