The First Grade Magistrate’s Court in Balaka has jailed two men, Daniel Kantokoma and Maxwell Banda to 4 years and six months each for robbing a businessperson cash and assorted items, worth about K3.4 million.
State Prosecutor, Sub Inspector Liston Sabola told the court that during the night of August 21 the duo, and three other accomplices who are still at large, were armed with panga knives and broke into the house of Blessings Banda, 44, owner of OPS General Dealers.
They tied him up before robbing him K235,000 cash, a pump gun rifle with seventeen live bullets,
six laptops and eight assorted cellphones, all worth about K3.4 million.
The two pleaded guilty to the count of robbery, a development that led to their convictions.
In submission, the state prayed for a stiffer custodial penalty, saying the duo are a threat to the society.
Passing judgement, First Grade Magistrate Phillip Chibwana concurred with the state and sentenced the duo to 54 months imprisonment with hard labour each as a deterrent factor to other would-be offenders.
The pump gun riffle with two live bullets was intercepted, and two laptops were recovered. Investigations are underway to arrest the other culprits.
Kantokoma, 25, comes from M’bwatalika Village, Traditional Authority M’bwatalika in Lilongwe whereas Maxwell Banda, 28, hails from Dzunje Village, Traditional Authority Kwataine in Ntcheu.
