Karonga First Grade Magistrate’s Court yesterday sentenced three ward councillors from the district to 12 months imprisonment but suspended the sentence to nine months.
The three, Chilanga Ward councillor Steven Simsokwe (Malawi Congress Party), Kaporo Ward councillor Ngasalayumo Mwangonde (UTM Party) and Rukuru Ward councillor Smart Mwakayira (Democratic Progressive Party), were answering three accounts of abuse of office, theft and fraud.
The three were two weeks ago found guilty and convicted for fraudulently pocketing K2.4 million from 80 Karonga Market vendors in exchange for plots in December 2019.
In his 15-minute ruling in a jam-packed courtroom, first grade magistrate Julius Kalambo said after going through the aggravating factors from the State and mitigating factors from the defence, the court agreed with the State on the seriousness of the offences.
He said: “On the other hand, I agree with the defence that the three are first offenders, have been remorseful and paid back the money that they never benefited from.
“I, therefore, slap the three of you with a 12 months custodial sentence, but suspended to nine months.”
The three, who appeared calm and composed throughout the court proceedings, were represented by lawyer Lughano Mwabutwa.
Two weeks ago after the court convicted the three councillors, Mwabutwa asked the court to give his clients suspended sentences.
He said: “Your Worship, looking at the case at hand, the defendants are first offenders and they refunded the K2.4 million.
“Therefore, it is fit for the defendants to be considered for either suspended sentence or acquittal.”
In an interview after the ruling, ACB spokesperson Egrita Ndala said they will wait for the official communication on the ruling for the bureau to make its determination on the next move.
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