Mangochi Court Sentences Man to 6 Years for Illegal Possession of Firearm

The Mangochi Magistrate’s Court has sentenced Shukuran Maxwell, 21, to six years imprisonment after he was found guilty of being in illegal possession of a firearm.

According to Sub Inspector Blessings Madikhula, the case dates back to July 17, when community members apprehended a woman at Chiponde Trading Centre for allegedly stealing second-hand clothes (kaunjika). The woman was taken to police, and during a search, officers not only recovered the stolen clothes but also discovered a gun hidden inside her bag.

When questioned, the woman revealed that the firearm belonged to her husband, Shukuran Maxwell, who had fled the market during her arrest.

Police later arrested Maxwell at his home. During interrogation, he confessed that he had purchased the gun in South Africa.

While delivering the sentence, Second Grade Magistrate Innocent Kondwani agreed with the state prosecutor that possession of an illegal firearm poses a serious threat to public safety, and therefore warranted a stiff penalty.

Shukuran, who hails from Kajeko Village, Traditional Authority Jalasi in Mangochi, will serve six years in prison.