Man Gets 7 Years IHL for Stealing Vehicle at Fountain of Victory Church in Blantyre
Published on April 30, 2025 at 9:29 AM by Evance Kapito
Blantyre Principal Resident Magistrate’s Court has sentenced 28-year-old Evance Junior Banda to seven years imprisonment with hard labour for theft of a motor vehicle.
State Prosecutor Martin Thulu told the court that Banda committed the offence on 16 March 2025 at the Fountain of Victory Church premises in Soche Central.
He reportedly drove off a Toyota Carina Ti, which had been parked at the church’s car park.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that Banda was apprehended the same night in Thyolo District after attempting to evade police capture.
He sped along unpaved roads, lost control of the vehicle, and crashed.Banda pleaded guilty to the charge and asked the court for leniency, saying that he is the sole breadwinner for his family.
However, Principal Resident Magistrate, Lawrence Mchilima, upheld the state’s argument and handed down a sentence of seven years imprisonment with hard labour.
