Man jailed 5-years forfeits motor vehicle over felonies

The Rumphi First Grade Magistrate Court has convicted and sentenced Fishani Gondwe, 20, to 5 years imprisonment with hard labour for committing breaking and theft offences respectively and forfeited a Honda motor vehicle belonging to the convict.

The court heard through state prosecutor Sub Inspector Malumbo Jere that, Gondwe (convict) on January 31, 2023 broke into the office of Senior Nurse Officer at Rumphi District Hospital and went away with assorted items including laptop and power bank worthy K300,000.

The convict who was just loitering at the said premises was questioned by the security guards and he lied that he was recruited for internship which prompted the guards to demand for his identity card.

Prosecutor Jere added that, the guards followed him to the car park after he lied that he left the lD in the motor vehicle. The guards found the stolen properties in the motor vehicle and the convict fled the scene leaving his car behind who was later apprehended.

Appearing in court, Gondwe who pleaded guilty to the charges asked for court’s leniency saying he’s a breadwinner to his family and also had been offered a scholarship to India.

In his submission, prosecutor Jere reminded the court that the convict had planned well to commit  the offence hence prayed for a stiffer sentence to act as a lesson to other would be offenders

Passing  sentence, First Grade Magistrate Cuthbert Phiri concurred with state hence sentenced him to 5 years imprisonment with hard labour. 

Phiri has also ordered the forfeiture of the convict’s Honda motor vehicle registration BR1604 to Malawi government.

Gondwe comes from Ngulukira Village, Traditional Authority Jalavikuba in Mzimba.