27-Year-Old Sentenced to 7 Years for Housebreaking in Rumphi
Published on April 10, 2026 at 6:32 AM by Edgar Naitha
The Rumphi First Grade Magistrate’s Court has convicted and sentenced 27-year-old Yotamu Zgambo to seven years’ imprisonment with hard labour after finding him guilty of breaking into a house and stealing assorted items, including a Tecno Pop 7 phone and K80,000 in cash, at Patanguwo Village in the district.
Zgambo committed the offence on the night of 18 June 2025 and was arrested in Karonga on 3 November 2025.
He was found guilty of the charges and pleaded for the court’s leniency and forgiveness.
In his submission to the court, State Prosecutor Constable Kantuwanje asked for a stiffer punishment, arguing that Zgambo had carefully planned the offence. He also noted that the complainant suffered losses as the stolen items were not recovered.
First Grade Magistrate Cuthbert Phiri concurred with the State, describing the offence as serious and one that attracts a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. He sentenced Zgambo to seven years’ imprisonment with hard labour for burglary and one-and-a-half years for theft. The sentences will run concurrently.
Zgambo hails from Chakusoweza Village in the area of Traditional Authority Chikulamayembe in the district.
