The Dowa First Grade Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday convicted and sentenced seven people to pay a fine of K7000.00 each or in default serve one month imprisonment with hard labour for contravening Covid-19 rules and regulations.
The court through state prosecutor Sub Inspector Ezara Bakili heard that the convicts were arrested during a sweeping exercise that took place on Monday and Tuesday this week at Dzaleka Refugee Camp and Dowa Boma for failing to put on face masks contravening Covid-19 rules and regulations.
In his submission, state prosecutor Sub Inspector Ezara Bakili pleaded with the court to mete out a stiff punishment to the offenders as a deterrent to others and to avoid further spread of the pandemic.
Passing sentence, First Grade Magistrate Amran Phiri concurred with the state’s submission and ordered each convict to pay a fine of K7000.00 each or in default serve one month imprisonment with hard labour to send as a warning to other would-be offenders.
The convicts have since paid the fines.
