Man Sentenced Two Years IHL For Breaking Into A Shop In Mzimba
Published on June 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM by Edgar Naitha
The Mzimba First Grade Magistrate’s Court has convicted and sentenced Chifundo Jeba Ndhlovu, 24, to two years’ imprisonment with hard labour for breaking into a building and committing a felony therein, in the district.
The court heard on June 04, 2025, through the State Prosecutor Sub Inspector Adamson Kachitsa, that the incident occurred on November 28, 2024, at around 15:00 hours in Zawinduka Village, Mzimba, where Mercy Mbewe owns a grocery shop.
Ndhlovu, who had earlier visited the shop with friends to buy and drink beer, took advantage of the owner’s absence and broke into the shop, stealing K70,000.
He was spotted by the owner as he fled through a window and escaped into the nearby bushes.
Appearing before the court, the accused person pleaded guilty to the charge.
However, in mitigation, he then asked for leniency, stating that he is the sole breadwinner for his elderly parents and orphaned nieces and nephews.
In Submission, Sub Inspector Kachitsa urged the court to impose a severe sentence, noting that Ndhlovu is a habitual offender.
He had been previously convicted for breaking into a church and stealing maize, and committed the current offence barely a month after completing his previous sentence.
In passing sentence, Second Grade Magistrate Blessings Lumbe sentenced Ndhlovu to two years imprisonment with hard labour for breaking into a building and committing a felony therein, contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code.
Ndhlovu hails from Vyanena Village, Traditional Authority Mzikubola in Mzimba District.
