14 years in prison for robbery at Mpondasi filling station

A 54-year-old man identified as M’madi Raja from Kalembo Village in the area of Traditional Authority Kalembo in Balaka District has been convicted and sentenced to 14-years Imprisonment with hard labour by the Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court for robbing at Mpondas Total Filling Station using an offensive weapon.

Mangochi Police Station Public Relations Officer Sub Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi has confirmed of the sentencing saying that it happened on November 23rd, 2022.

Daudi said Mangochi Police Station Prosecution Officer Inspector Amos Mwase told the court that on the wee hours of June 14th, 2022 the convict broke into Mpondas Total Filling Station, dragged all fuel attendants and locked them in one room and fled away with CCTV camera saver, K60,000 cash, two cellphones, 10 bottles of five litres of oil, 5 jerricans ( 20 litres each) of fuel and assorted groceries, all items worthy K558,400.

“Mwase added that the convict was armed with a pistol and also tied up the guards before executing the operation and the matter was reported at Mangochi Police Station who in turn initiated investigations and the detectives arrested the convict in one of the Rest houses in Balaka following a tip from members of the public,” Daudi said.

She added that the detectives also recovered a pistol and black head mask in the room as they conducted identification parade whereby all fuel attendants from the said Filling Station identified the convict.

“Appearing before court, Raja pleaded not guilty to both charges promoting the state to parade five witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt and in mitigation, the convict asked for court’s leniency, stating that he is a breadwinner to his family who will suffer if sent to prison,” she said.

Daudi then explained that in his submission, state prosecutor Inspector Mwase highlighted that, the crime was well organized since the convict was commuting from outside Mangochi and that his behaviour brought fear to the residents and the victims were traumatized hence prayed for a custodial sentence to the agreement of Senior Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe who therefore sentenced him to 14 years for robbery and 2-years imprisonment with hard labour for illegal possession of firearm and the sentences will run concurrently.