Man Gets Six Years for Attacking and Robbing Woman in Lilongwe

The Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court in Lilongwe has convicted and sentenced 19-year-old Stephano Sausedo Ngwanda to six years imprisonment for robbing a woman of cash amounting to K20,000, an Itel cellphone, and other valuables all worth K455,000.

According to Sergeant Khumbo Sanyiwa, Deputy Public Relations Officer for Lilongwe Police Station, the incident occurred on July 5, 2025, at around 07:00 hours at Falls Estate in Area 1, when the victim was on her way to work at Kachere Prison.

State Prosecutor Inspector Bauleni Namasani told the court that the convict attacked the woman while she was crossing the Lilongwe footpath bridge, hooking her by the neck and pressing her until she lost consciousness before stealing her cellphone, purse containing a national ID, National Bank ATM card, and cash.

Appearing before court, Ngwanda pleaded guilty to the charge of robbery and asked for leniency, claiming to be a breadwinner for his family.

However, Prosecutor Namasani asked the court to impose a stiffer custodial sentence, arguing that the convict had planned the robbery and used violence against the victim.

In his ruling, Senior Resident Magistrate Wanangwa Nyirenda concurred with the state’s submission, noting that the offence was deliberate and violent, before sentencing Ngwanda to six years imprisonment with hard labour.

Ngwanda hails from Falls Area 1, Traditional Authority Tsabango, in Lilongwe District.