5 Years in Jail for Burglary and Theft

The Principal Resident Magistrate’s court in Mzuzu has convicted and sentenced a 39-year-old Samuel Chiumia, to 5 years imprisonment with hard labour for the offence of burglary and theft.

The court through police prosecutor Sub Inspector Thandi Mkupa, heard that the convict, during the night of June 18, 2023 at Chibavi location within Mzuzu City, forcefully opened the house window of Lucia Chitalo and stole two curtains valued at K30,000.00.

Chiumia then accidentally fell into a septic tank and was found on the next day morning by community members who rescued him.

Appearing before court, Chiumia pleaded guilty to the charges levelled against him, and prayed for the court’s leniency when passing its sentence.

In her submission, Prosecutor Mkupa asked the court to hand the convict with a stiffer punishment to deter other would be offenders.

Passing sentence, Principal Resident Magistrate Clemence Chamwenda, concurred with the state’s submission. He then went on to sentence Chiumia to 5 years imprisonment with hard labour for burglary, and 3 years for theft. The sentences to run concurrently.

Chiumia hails from Saulos Chiumia Village Traditional Authority Mtwalo in Mzimba District.