2025-02-19

Man Sentenced to 9 Years for Acts Intended to Cause Grievous Harm

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The Principal Resident Magistrate Court in Mzuzu has convicted and sentenced Roppen Ziba, 28, to nine years imprisonment with hard labour for grievously harming Boniface Chankhumbira at Ekwendeni in Mzimba District.

The court, through state prosecutor Superintendent Bettie Msowoya, heard that on January 1, 2025, at around 21:30 hours, the victim and his friends were celebrating the New Year at Snack Garden Bar in Ekwendeni, where the convict was also present.

During the celebrations, a disagreement arose between the two, leading to a heated argument. Although the group managed to calm the situation, tensions remained high. A few minutes later, when the victim went to the toilet, the convict suddenly emerged and assaulted him with an unidentified object, inflicting deep cuts around his neck. However, the victim managed to overpower Ziba and brought him back to the group.

The matter was reported to Ekwendeni Police Post, and the victim was issued a medical report. He was first treated at Ekwendeni Mission Hospital before being referred to Mzuzu Central Hospital, where he was admitted.

Appearing before the court, the convict pleaded guilty, stating that he committed the offence without any specific reason. In mitigation, he pleaded for leniency, arguing that he was a first-time offender and was intoxicated at the time of the incident. However, the state prosecutor pushed for a stiff sentence, emphasizing the severity of the offence, the deep wounds inflicted on the victim, and the potential loss of life.

In his ruling, Principal Resident Magistrate Clemence Chamwenda concurred with the state, highlighting the gravity of the crime. He then sentenced Ziba to nine years imprisonment with hard labour for acts intended to cause grievous harm, contrary to Section 235 of the Penal Code.

Ziba hails from Mwakaseghe Village, Traditional Authority Mtwalo, in Mzimba District.

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