The Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court on February 2, 2022 convicted and sentenced Harrison Kachingwe, 36 and Alfred Kondwani Palikena, 26 each to 15 years imprisonment with hard for contravening sections 309(a) and 278 of the Penal Code respectively.
During court proceedings prosecutor Sub lnspector Ted Namaona told the court that, the convicts came to Mangochi on the night of January 27, 2022 using unregisterd red Toyota Passo and lodged at a certain resthouse within the town.
The following afternoon the convicts and their accomplice who is still at large broke into 2 houses in Mgundaphiri Village when the owners were not around.
Prosecutor Namaona added that the convicts went away with K50,000 cash, 52 LG and 42 inch Samsung plasma TVs and assorted groceries.
The matter was reported at Mangochi Police Station who swiftly responded to the alert and successfully arrested the two suspects at different locations the same afternoon with the help of members of the public and also recovered the stolen TVs which were already sold at Makawa Trading Centre.
Appearing in court, both convicts pleaded guilty to all charges levelled against them.
In Mitigation the convicts asked for court’s leniency stating that they are breadwinners to their families who would suffer if sent to prison however prosecutor Namaona reminded the court that the convicts had a well planned move of which it succeeded hence prayed for a custodial penalty.
Passing judgement, Senior Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe concurred with the state.
He therefore slapped each of them to 15 years for the count of house breaking and 3-years imprisonment with hard labour for the count of theft. Sentences to run concurrently.
The convicts are also wanted by Lingadzi, Liwonde and Zomba Police formations suspected to have committed similar offences in those areas.
Kachingwe hails from Sanulani Village Traditional Authority Njolomole in Ntcheu while Palikena comes from Kamenya Village Traditional Authority Kachere in Dedza.
Sub Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi
PRO-Mangochi Police Station
Cell:0999-706-525
E-mail:mamateps1152@gmail.com
Website: www.police.gov.mw