Truck driver fined K500,000 for illegal possession of charcoal

The driver defied the orders and  drove his vehicle towards Lilongwe which is away from Mponela and threatened the police officers that he would kill them by hitting them with the motor vehicle if they dared to block his way.

The police officers vigilantly managed to control the driver until he arrived at Mponela Police and later placed him in cell.

The vehicle had 120 bags of charcoal.

Later, he was charged with counts of found in possession of forest produce without licence contravening section 68(3)(a) of the Forest Act and obstructing police officers whilst on duty contravening section 256(b) of the Penal Code.

Appearing in court, Frank pleaded guilty to the charges levelled against him.

In his submission, Mathambo asked the court to give stiff punishment to the accused for him to learn and deter others from commiting similar offences.

Passing judgement, First Grade Magistrate Talakwanji Mndala concurred with the state’s submissions and ordered the convict to pay K500,000 for the offence of found in possession of forest produce without licence and K200 000 for obstructing police officers whilst on duty or in default to serve 36 months jail term.

He further ordered that the said bags of charcoal be forfeirted  to Malawi Government but the vehicle to be returned to the owner.

Lingison Frank hails from Ngunda Village in Traditional Authority Chiwere in Dowa District.