Chikwawa First Grade Magistrate has sentenced two men to six years imprisonment for house breaking and theft.
According to the district’s police, State Prosecutor, Sub Inspector, Frank Ngoleka, the two who have been identified as Matias Machaka aged 30 and Felix Chikwere aged 47 broke into a house of one medical assistant who works for Chikwawa district hospital and stole assorted items pegged at 576,000 kwacha.
The incident is said to have happened on 21 July, 2022.
Appearing before court, the two pleaded not guilty for the charges leveiled against them of house breaking and theft which are contrary to section 309(a) and 278 of the penal code respectively.
However, the state presented three witnesses who testified against them beyond reasonable doubt.
In his submission, Prosecutor, Ngoleka urged for a stiff punishment to set an example for others not to emulate their behaviour.
In their mitigation, the two however, asked the court to consider in its ruling stating they are breadwinners of their families.
Passing his sentence, First Grade Magistrate, Gladstone Chirundu concurred with the state and sentenced them to six years imprisonment for house breaking and two years for theft. Their sentences will run concurrently.
Matias Machaka hails from Lauji village, traditional authority Katunga in Chikwawa district whilst Felix Chikwere hails from Nsamera village, traditional authority Chikumbu in Mulanje district.