The Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court in Ntcheu has ordered a 25-year-old man, Kingsley Mataya, to pay a fine of K1 million or in default serve 24 months imprisonment with hard labour for trafficking forest produce without licence.
The court through state prosecutor Sub Inspector Brazio Kambalame heard that Mataya was arrested during the night of May 24, 2022 along Ntonda Trading Centre while driving a 15 tonner Hino Vehicle, registration number DZ 2132 loaded with 100 bags of charcoal.
State prosecutor Sub Inspector Kambalame further told the court that the accused person was arrested by police officers who were on patrols, leading to the interception of the motor vehicle.
Appearing before court on Tuesday May 31 2022, the accused person admitted the charge of trafficking forest produce without licence which contravenes section 68(3)(a) of the Forest Act Amended in 2020.
The state prayed for meaningful punishment after observing that such cases are rampant in the district and wanton cutting down of indeginous trees has negative impact to agriculture.
Mataya asked for court leniency, saying he is the first offender and looks after his old parents.
Passing sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Joshua Nkhono quashed the mitigating factors and concurred with the state hence fined Mataya to pay K1 million or in default 24 months imprisonment with hard and 100 bags of charcoal be forfeited to Malawi Government.
Kingsley Mataya hails from Doviko Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mpando in Ntcheu.
Sub Inspector Rabecca Ndiwate
Public Relations Officer
Ntcheu Police Station
0999769456