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Lilongwe First Grade Magistrate’s court Thursday sentenced 36-year-old Mphatso Mwale to 3 years in prison for stealing from Parliament’s cafeteria.
Mwale was found guilty, on his own plea, of a breaking into a building and committing a felony therein, contrary to Section 311 of the Penal code.
The court, through State Prosecutor Sergeant Sautso Kamoto, heard that Mwale broke into Parliament’s cafeteria on May 16 2020 at around 20:00 hours.
He went away with assorted items which include 7 bags( 50 kgs each) of baking flour, 22 packets of sugar and 4 litres of cooking oil valued at over K265, 000.
The court further learnt that Mwale, an ex-worker at the facility who was fired over a similar conduct, was detected through a CCTV camera.
Prosecutor Kamoto pleaded with the court to give the accused person a stiffer punishment since he was a previous offender.
In mitigation, Mwale prayed for leniency saying he was under the devil’s spell when he committed the crime.
He further claimed he was a sole bread winner in his family hence a lighter sentence.
Passing judgement, First Grade Magistrate Chakaka Nyirenda concurred with the state, saying Mwale took advantage to steal because he was familiar with the facility.
Mwale hails from Chasinga Village, Traditional Authority Chulu in Kasungu District.
