The Mkukula Magistrate Court in Dowa on Monday convicted a 73-year-old man and fined him MK60, 000 or serve 30 months in jail for operating a clinic without license.
According to Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) Police Spokesperson, Sapulain Chitonde Lee, the man, Bernard Naliti, was arrested by Lumbadzi Police on 1st September, 2015, at Chimbalanga Village, Traditional Authority Mkukula in Dowa District where he was illegally operating his clinic.
The man did not have any background as a medical practitioner, according to Chitonde Lee.
In his mitigation when he appeared before the First Grade Magistrate Cecilia Onsewa of Mkukula Magistrate Court, Naliti said he suffers from asthma and that he also looks after his children and grand children who would suffer if he went to jail.
But passing the sentence, Magistrate Onsewa said the offence was serious and attracts a maximum fine of MK1million or 5 years in prison but considering the convict’s age and being the first offender, he should pay MK60, 000 or face a 30-month jail term. Naliti paid the fine.
Operating a clinic without license is contrary to Section 17 (1) (a) as read with Section 65 (1) of the Pharmacy, Medicine and Poison Act, according to KIA police spokesperson.mana