Woman Sentenced to Three Years Hard Labour for Stealing Phones at Zomba Central Hospital
Published on July 1, 2025 at 9:00 AM by Edgar Naitha
In Zomba, the Principal Resident Magistrate’s Court has sentenced 22-year-old Janet Banda to three years imprisonment with hard labour after she was convicted of stealing two smartphones at Zomba Central Hospital.
According to State Prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent Peter Njilagoma, Banda carried out the thefts during the night of July 30 to 31, 2025, deliberately targeting guardians in hospital wards. She was apprehended around 3 a.m. while attempting to steal a third phone from a patient.
In her plea, Banda admitted guilt and asked the court for leniency, citing family responsibilities. However, the prosecution emphasized the calculated nature of the crimes and the vulnerability of the victims, urging the court to impose a deterrent sentence.
Principal Resident Magistrate Rhodrick Michongwe agreed with the prosecution and sentenced Banda to three years of imprisonment with hard labour.
