Theft earns Dedza man 30 months IHL

Dedza First Grade Magistrate’s Court has sentenced Mavuto Chipokola to 30 months imprisonment with hard labour (IHL) for being found guilty of theft contrary to Section 278 of the Penal Code.

The court, through State prosecutor constable Damiano Nyasulu, heard that on June 15 2012, the convict went to the house of Benson Matope where he stole two car batteries valued at K140 000.

Nyasulu told the court two weeks later, Dennis Mofolo was found in possession of the batteries.

He said when police asked Mofolo to explain where he got them, he revealed that he had bought them from Chipokola.

The convict pleaded not guilty to the charge, but the State paraded three witnesses who all testified against him.

Nkhotakota man nabbed for fake job offers

 

FRANCIS NUNDWE

Citizen Journalist

Police in the central Malawi district of Nkhotakota have arrested a 54-year-old man for tricking women into marrying him by promising them jobs.

The man, Yusuf Useni, is suspected to have been recruiting single women by telling them he owned a company known as Lake Site Referendum Family Alliance based in Nkhotakota.

“On August 2 this year, Yusuf approached Brenda Banda (23) at her home in Dedza and told her that he was looking for cleaners to work for his company in Nkhotakota.

“She recruited and took her to Nkhotakota to start work. Surprisingly, after reaching the suspect’s home, Banda was shocked to hear him introducing her to his children as his wife,” said Nkhotakota Police spokesperson Lubrino Kaitano.

The police publicist said since the victim was new in the area, she had no option but to sleep in the same house with the suspect.

“At night, Useni approached Banda with an intention to make love to her. He touched her private parts. The woman got angry and ran outside where she spent the rest of the night,” he said.

The suspect will soon appear in court to answer charges of indecent assault.

Useni comes from Yusuf Village in the area of Traditional Authority Malengachanzi in Nkhotakota

 

Dedza man jailed for defiling imbecile

FRANCIS NUNDWE, Citizen Journalism

Dedza First Grade Magistrate’s Court in central Malawi has sentenced Mavuto Chipokola to 30 months imprisonment with hard labour (IHL) for being found guilty of theft contrary to Section 278 of the Penal Code.

The court, through State prosecutor constable Damiano Nyasulu, heard that on June 15 2012, the convict went to the house of Benson Matope where he stole two car batteries valued at K140 000.

Nyasulu told the court two weeks later, Dennis Mofolo was found in possession of the batteries.

He said when police asked Mofolo to explain where he got them, he revealed that he had bought them from Chipokola.

The convict pleaded not guilty to the charge, but the State paraded three witnesses who all testified against him.

 

Blantyre Synod ordains two ministers

 

HOLYCE KHOLOWA, Citizen Journalist

Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Blantyre Synod last week ordained two young ministers at a ceremony held at Zomba CCAP.

The ministers have just completed their studies at Zomba Theological College and have now been assigned to churches in Zomba. Nellie Nyoni will minister at Nalikukuta CCAP in Zomba City while Reverend Tobias Mateyu is at Nsondole CCAP churches in Domasi Presbytery.

Former Blantyre Synod moderator the Reverend Bona advised the two to be loving and caring if they are to serve God effectively.

“True leaders begin with humility since humility is the key to divine knowledge, spiritual understanding and godly wisdom. If you can learn to be humble and love God and other people, you will indeed be true leaders of and for God. Avoid quarrelling with the people you are going to serve since once you do that, they will lose confidence in the Lord,” he advised.

General Secretary of the synod the Reverend Alex Maulana congratulated the new ministers and encouraged them to be the springs of development within their churches and the communities in which they serve.

 

 

 

Dedza man jailed for defiling imbecile

 

FRANCIS NUNDWE, Citizen Journalism

Dedza First Grade Magistrate’s Court last week sentenced Aliwizo Lawrent to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour for defilement contrary to Section 139 of the Penal Code.

Dedza Police spokesperson Edward Kabango said the girl [name withheld] was playing with her friends near the convict’s house.

Soon after his wife left home, Lawrent sent all the children on different errands to give himself a chance to rape the imbecile.

“He then took the 16-year-old into his house where he defiled her. A man in the neighbourhood, who saw them entering the house, rushed and informed the parents of the victim who forcefully entered the house and found him defiling the girl,” said Kabango.

Lawrent (40) pleaded guilty to the charge.

In mitigation, he asked the court for leniency, saying he has orphans whom he supports.

But passing sentence, first grade magistrate Damiano Chibwana Banda said the convict was an irresponsible parent.

Lawrent comes from Kapenuka Village in the area of Traditional Authority Kamenyagwaza in Dedza.

 

Send children to Christian schools—Mangochi chief

Alfonso Mpima

Correspondent

Parents in the lakeshore district of Mangochi, who refuse to send their children to Christian schools, have been asked to start sending them regardless of religious differences.

Speaking during the presentation of certificates to 260 children who have completed their nursery school at St. John Nursery School in Mangochi, Group Village Headman Changamire urged the parents to stop the practice, saying it affects education in the district.

“Our children are not taught Christianity, but learn how to read and write” said Changamire.

Apart from a free nursery school, St John has a hospital (nutrition centre) which treats malnourished children.

The school is being run by Father Joseph Kimu.

Motorist fined K150 000 for causing death

EMMANUEL JAILOS, Citizen Journalist

Linthipe First Grade Magistrate’s Court in Dedza last week ordered Luke Mwenyekondo to pay a K150 000 (about $600) fine or in default serve a 24-month jail term for causing death by reckless driving contrary to Section 126 of the Road Traffic Act.

According to Dedza Police spokesperson Edward Kabango, the accident happened on July 6 this year at Mkwinda Village near Linthipe 1 along the M1 Road.

Kabango said the court heard that Mwenyekondo, who was driving a Lilongwe-bound minibus registration MN 21 with a trailer registration MN 3229, lost control of the vehicle when he tried to avoid hitting a stationary car.

State prosecutor Golden Kakoma told the court that four passengers died on the spot and five others, including the driver, sustained serious injuries.

In mitigation, the convict prayed for leniency, saying he is the sole breadwinner for his family.

But passing sentence, magistrate Richard Gomani said the district has been notorious for accidents due to irresponsible drivers like Mwenyekondo.

Mwenyekondo has since paid the fine.

 

 

 

 

Theft earns Dedza man 30 months IHL

VICTOR SINGANO JUNIOR, Citizen Journalist

Dedza First Grade Magistrate’s Court has sentenced Mavuto Chipokola to 30 months imprisonment with hard labour (IHL) for being found guilty of theft contrary to Section 278 of the Penal Code.

The court, through State prosecutor constable Damiano Nyasulu, heard that on June 15 2012, the convict went to the house of Benson Matope where he stole two car batteries valued at K140 000.

Nyasulu told the court two weeks later, Dennis Mofolo was found in possession of the batteries.

He said when police asked Mofolo to explain where he got them, he revealed that he had bought them from Chipokola.

The convict pleaded not guilty to the charge, but the State paraded three witnesses who all testified against him.