Mozambican slapped 21 years for robbery

A Mozambican national has been sentenced to 21 years imprisonment for robbing a Malawian of a motor vehicle.

During a court sitting on Tuesday, State prosecutor Steve Galleta told the Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court that Mozambican, Mayesero Malefula, 23, on January 7  2022 hired a Honda Freed registration number BY 8402 and later killed the driver of the vehicle Francis Malindi  and sold the car.

He further told the court that Malefula led a police investigation team to Mozambique where he sold the vehicle.

Said Galleta: “Malefula, instead of paying for the services same night, he told  Milindi to come back to his house a day later for the payment. When Malindi went to collect the money, he was taken into the house where he was offered mangoes to eat. Malefula then took a hammer and assaulted  Malindi severely on the head which led to his death. The body was buried behind the house.”

Malefula pleaded guilty to the charge of robbery and prayed  for leniency.

However, Galleta asked the court to give a stiffer sentence considering the manner in which the offence was committed.

Senior resident magistrate James Mankhwazi concurred with the State that the offence was planned. He also observed that such cases are rampant in Lilongwe, and the country as a whole.

Mankhwazi then sentenced Malefula to 21 years imprisonment with hard labour.

In an interview yesterday, Lilongwe Police spokesperson Hastings Chigalu said the convict will also answer a charge of murder in the High Court.

He added that the  police recovered the motor vehicle.

“The motor vehicle was successfully recovered in Mozambique after four separate attempts by police, visiting the neighboring country to secure it,” said Chigalu.

Mayesero Malefula  hails from Kalembo Village, Traditional Authority Sopera, Chifunde District in Mozambique.