Balaka Man Fined K200,000 for Possessing Cannabis Without Licence
Published on May 15, 2025 at 8:00 AM by Edgar Naitha
The Magistrate’s Court in Balaka on Thursday convicted and sentenced a 45-year-old man, Maliko Mathewe, for illegal possession of Cannabis sativa without a licence.
Appearing before Senior Resident Magistrate Joshua Nkhono, Mathewe was ordered to pay a fine of K200,000.00 or, in default, serve a 12-month custodial sentence. He has since paid the fine, avoiding jail time.
The court heard from State Prosecutor Sergeant Precious Chiphaka that on April 25, 2025, police discovered three kilograms of loose Cannabis sativa and two fresh plants at Mathewe’s residence in Mgawanyemba.
When the charge was read out in court, Mathewe pleaded guilty to possession of the illicit drug without the required licence. His guilty plea led to a swift conviction.
Magistrate Nkhono emphasized the importance of adhering to drug control laws and warned against illegal cultivation and possession of cannabis.
