Court fines man for defying farmgate regulations

The Salima First Grade Magistrate court on April 18,fined Damiano Mandevu, 30, to pay K170,000 for buying farm produce using uncertified scale and without a valid licence.

Confirming the development to Malawi News Agency, Public Relations Officer for Salima Police Station Jacob Khembo said the court through state prosecutor Wenford Mawindo heard that the convict was caught committing the offences by police officers in the afternoon of 12th April, and was found at Chendekachithatha village in Traditional Authority Kambwiri.

Appearing in court, the suspect pleaded guilty to both charges levelled against him and was instantly convicted.
In submissions, the state prosecutor prayed for stiffer punishment saying farmers are duped of their produce through uncertified scales.

However, Damiano pleaded for leniency citing that he is a bread winner at home and was not aware as to where he could find offices for Malawi Bureau of Standard in the district so that they could have certified his scale.

Passing sentence Magistrate Anthony Banda quashed the convict’s mitigating factors and warned him strongly to adhere to government’s regulations on farm gate.

He later ordered him to pay K120,000 in default or to be jailed for 3 months for buying farm produce using uncertified scale and K50,000 for buying farm produce without a licence or to be jailed for two months if he fails to pay the fines.

Damiano has since paid the total K170,000 fine.