Rumphi Man Jailed 5 Years for Trespassing on Graveyard

The Rumphi First Grade Magistrate’s Court has sentenced 51-year-old Masida Nyirenda to five years imprisonment with hard labour for trespassing on a graveyard, contrary to Section 131(A) of the Penal Code.

The court heard through state prosecutor Blessings Chimbirazowa that Nyirenda committed the offence on August 2, 2025, at Mtsongolo graveyard in Rumphi District.

According to court records, villagers had organised a graveyard cleaning exercise on the day of the incident when they discovered that one grave had been tampered with.

Clothes found at the scene were later identified as belonging to Nyirenda. Although he admitted ownership of the clothes, he denied interfering with the grave.

The court also heard that Nyirenda had previously committed a similar offence in 2006, for which he was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour.

During trial, Nyirenda denied the charge, but the state presented five witnesses whose testimonies convinced the court beyond reasonable doubt.

In mitigation, Nyirenda pleaded for leniency, saying he is the breadwinner for his family.

However, prosecutor Chimbirazowa asked the court to impose a stiffer sentence, arguing that the convict was a repeat offender.

First Grade Magistrate Cuthbert Phiri agreed with the state and sentenced Nyirenda to five years imprisonment with hard labour as a deterrent to would-be offenders.

Nyirenda comes from Ching’anya Village under Senior Chief Katumbi in Rumphi District.