Man gets 10 years for burglary, theft

Salima Magistrate’s Court has sentenced Hassan Bwanali, 44, to 10 years imprisonment for burglary and theft.

State prosecutor Jean Chirombo told the court that Bwanali, along with his accomplice, on December 5 2022 broke into a house at Mikute II Village at Senga Bay and went away with items worth over K5 million.

She told the court that after committing the offences, the duo disappeared from their home village and started selling the stolen property in Nkhotakota.

Chirombo said well-wishers tipped off the complainant and who reported the matter to police who arrested Bwanali on December 29 2022 at Senga Bay while his accomplice’s whereabouts remain unknown.

In court, the convict pleaded not guilty, but the State paraded four witnesses and proved its case.

In his submissions, Chirombo pleaded for a custodial sentence, saying the complainant suffered a great loss as only few stolen items were recovered.

In mitigation, the convict asked for leniency, saying he is a breadwinner for his family.

Passing the sentence, first grade magistrate Antony Banda dismissed Bwanali’s mitigations and agreed with the State for a stiff sentence.

He, therefore, sentenced Bwanali to 10 years for burglary and two years for theft. The sentences will run concurrently.

The convict comes from Mikute II Village, Traditional Authority Maganga in the district.