Man gets 8 years for burglary, theft

Nkhata Bay Magistrate’s Court has sentenced Thomas Banda, 29, to eight years imprisonment for burglary and theft.

State prosecutor Dora Mhango told the court that the suspect committed the crime on February 10 2023 at Nkhata Bay Boma.

She said Banda broke into a house and went away with assorted items worth K600 000.

Mhango told the court that the matter was reported to Nkhata Bay Police Station where investigations led to the arrest of the suspect on February 17 2023.

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

In mitigation, he prayed for leniency, saying he looks after his grandmother.

But in her submission, Mhango asked the court for a stiffer sentence, saying what he did caused fear to the victim and other people in the district.

He said burglary and theft offences were rampant in the district; hence, calling for a custodial sentence.

In his ruling, senior resident magistrate Mateo Fatsani Chitha agreed with the State on the need for a stiffer sentence to deter other would-be offenders. 

Therefore, he sentenced Banda to eight years for burglary and two years for theft. The sentences will run concurrently.

Banda comes from Japi Village, Traditional Authority Mkumbira in the district.