Mangochi First Grade Magistrate’s Court on Monday February 8, 2021 convicted and ordered Rashid Kwitambo, 42, to pay K500,000 fine for contravening section 54(2)(b) of the Reserve Bank of Malawi Act.
During court proceedings, Mangochi Police Prosecutor Sub Inspector Grace Mindozo told the court that, on the evening of July 26, 2020, Kwitambo was apprehended and handed over to the Police by Community Policing members after he was caught with K70,000 in K2000 fake Malawian notes at Mpitilila Market.
Prosecutor Mindozo added that, the Police contacted the Reserve Bank of Malawi who examined the notes and confirmed it to be fake.
Appearing in court, the accused person pleaded not guilty and the state paraded five witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
In mitigation, Kwitanda asked for court’s leniency, but the state quashed his appeal, saying that he should be given a stiffer penalty for others to learn a lesson.
Passing judgement, First Grade Magistrate Mtunduwatha Mpasu concurred with the state hence ordered him to pay the fine of K500,000 in default 16 months imprisonment with hard labour.
The accused person has since paid the fine.
Rashid Kwitanda hails from village Makuta Traditional Authority Kachenga in Balaka.
Sub lnspector Amina Tepani Daudi
Deputy PRO-Mangochi Police Station
Cell:0999 706 525
Email:mamateps1152@gmail.com