The Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court has sentenced Pherenesah Chitekesa, 34 of Bonongwe village, Traditional Authority Phambala in Ntcheu District to 3 years and Annie Chitsulo, 29, of Makawa Village, Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi District to 2 and half years imprisonment with hard labour for swindling K7.1 million for their boss.
Mangochi Police Station Public Relations Officer Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi has confirmed.
Daudi indicated that the court heard through prosecutor Inspector Shadreck Wisiki that, the convicts were employed as Airtel money and Mpamba agents for Pick ‘n’ Pay Wholesale at Makawa Trading Center.
“On December 15th, 2023 the wholesale’s accountant conducted an audit and discovered a shortage of K5.4 million from Chitekesa’s kiosk while the second convict misappropriated K1.7 million,” Daudi said.
It was further indicated that the duo failed to account themselves on the whereabouts of the missing cash despite given ample time to resolve the issue prompting the owner to report the matter to police, leading to their arrest.
“Appearing in court, both convicts pleaded not guilty and the state paraded three witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
They asked for court’s leniency in mitigation citing that they have family obligations but in his submission, Prosecutor Wisiki highlighted that the convicts were trusted with someone’s business which liquidated due to their dishonesty and selfishness hence prayed for stiffer sentences.
Passing sentence Senior Resident Magistrate Muhammad Chande concurred with the state and alluded that the convicts’ behavior is a disgrace to entire womanhood since some employers prefer female workers to men because they are regarded to be honest.
