The Mangochi Second Grade Magistrate’s Court on May 2, 2024 convicted and sentenced Laika Mussah, 28, to two and half years imprisonment with hard labour for neglecting to provide food and necessities for children contrary to section 165 of the Penal Code.
The court heard through prosecutor Sub Inspector Maston Chitsonga that on February 13, 2024 the convict who stays at Mpima Trading Centre left her two children(aged 5 and 3) unattended and went to Mangochi Boma to operate her business where she stayed for Four days.
The helpless innocent kids were just loitering within the village looking for food which prompted the well-wishers to tip the police who arrested the convict.
Prosecutor Chitsonga added that Mussah was released after being counseled and she promised to mend her ways.
Surprisingly few days later, the convict again abandoned the kids for a week and villagers tipped police and Social Welfare Officials who jointly arrested the convict and took the children for upkeep.
In court she pleaded not guilty prompting the state to parade three witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
In mitigation Mussah asked for court’s leniency promising that she would change.
In his submission prosecutor Chitsonga emphasized that Mussah’s heartless behavior is a disgrace to the entire motherhood hence prayed for a custodial sentence.
Passing sentence Second Grade Magistrate Baxter Chikalimba concurred with the state hence sentenced her to two and half years imprisonment with hard labour.
She hails from Mdala Makumba village, Traditional Authority Chowe 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