9 people fined Mk100,000 for buying maize at lower prices

A magistrate court at Mponela in Dowa has fined 9 people K100,000 each for contravening the farm gate prices and buying farm produce without licences.

Appearing before First Grade Magistrate Anthony Chimphonda Banda yesterday, the suspects admitted to have committed the offence.

State Prosecutor Assistant Superintendent Gladys Jentala told the court that the nine were arrested last week at Mponela, Tchawale and Mtsilo Trade Centres by a special operation which Mponela Police Station conducted.

First Grade Magistrate Banda hopes the k100,000 fine for each convict is stiff enough to deter other would be offenders.