Mangochi First Grade Magistrate Court on Wednesday April 21, 2021 convicted and sentenced Christopher Raphael Orlando a Mozambican to 7 years imprisonment with hard labour for committing a series of crimes in the district.
During court proceedings, Mangochi Police prosecutor Sergeant John Makawa told the court that Orlando is a well-known motorcycle thief.
On the evening of February 2, 2021 Orlando met his brother in-law on his way to Kassim village market. The convict borrowed his brother in-law’s Rifo motorcycle valued at K550,000 which he promised to bring back before nightfall but went away with it.
Prosecutor Makawa added that, on April 2, 2021 the same Orlando went away with a duck Rifo worthy K550,000 belonging to his father in-law at Chilawi village after a 2 week marriage with the victim’s daughter.
Both incidents were reported at Mangochi Police Station and investigations were initiated. All came to light when detectives apprehended him on April 13, 2021 on another count whereby he robbed and killed a motorbike taxi operator within the township.
The detectives also recovered the stolen motorbikes.
Appearing in court Orlando pleaded guilty to the two counts.
In mitigation Orlando asked for court’s leniency saying that he is a foreigner but Prosecutor Makawa asked court for a custodial sentence while justifying that Orlando’s behavior is inhumane and cannot be tolerated in the society for hurting his close relatives.
First Grade Magistrate Mtunduwatha Mpasu concurred with the state for a stiff penalty.
He therefore sentenced him to 4-years for first count of theft and 3-years imprisonment with hard labour for another count of theft saying the sentences should run consecutively.
Christopher Raphael Orlando who is also answering murder charge hails from Masangulo village, Traditional Authority Chitambi District Ngauma in Mozambique.
Sub Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi
Deputy PRO- Mangochi Police Station
Cell:0999-706-525
Email:mamateps1152@gmail.com