Four Men Sentenced 18 Years For Armed Robbery In Nkhata Bay

Senior Resident Magistrate Court in Nkhata Bay has convicted and sentenced four men to 18 years in prison for robbing a businessman at gunpoint.

The convict were identified as Amos Manda (35), Alex Nyasulu (42) both of them from Mzimba, Malawi and other two from South Africa  named, Marvellous Khowane (26) and Bnekisipho Mthembu (41).

During the court healing, State Prosecutor Isaac Imedi explained that the incident took place in February last year when the group ambushed Geoffrey Manda, who was travelling from Kavuzi to Mzuzu and stole money worthy K2.5 million from him.

Imedi requested the court for a tough sentence to discourage such crimes.

Lawyer Khwimi Mchizi and Ashim Siadi were representing the accused and Siadi requested for fair sentence, pointing out that the suspects were first time offenders, young and also claiming  that no lives were lost during the Scene. He also said that half of the stolen cash was recovered.

However the Magistrate Godfrey Nyirenda rejected claims that the accused were first offenders. He argued that  lack of communication between South Africa and Malawi police made it difficult to confirm the criminals history since the robbery appeared to be fully planned from abroad.