COURT HANDS DOWN 12-YEARS SENTENCE FOR ROBBERY IN LILONGWE

By Michael Martin//MALAWI

The Lilongwe First Grade Magistrate Court convicted and sentenced two individuals, Mwaiwawo Ndafera, 23, and James Makwacha, 25, to 12 years imprisonment with hard labor for robbery.

According to state prosecutor Sub Inspector Morton Munthali, the duo committed the offense on December 12, 2024, at around 13:00 hours at Bridget Zenia Soko’s residence in Area 47.

They made off with a Nissan Dualis motor vehicle, plasma screen, two laptops, Genset, Bluetooth speaker, and assorted luxuries.

Tragically, the robbery resulted in the death of a housemaid, Princess Chinyama.

Prosecutor Munthali pushed for a stiffer punishment, citing the seriousness and inhumane nature of the offense, and recommended a life sentence.

However, the convicts, who pleaded guilty, requested a lenient sentence, stating they were first-time offenders.

First Grade Magistrate Imran Phiri ultimately concurred with the state and handed down the 12-year sentence.

Ndafera and Makwacha are also facing a murder charge related to the incident.

Ndafera hails from Sazola village in Traditional Authority Mabuka, Mulanje, while Makwacha is from Chewadi village in Traditional Authority Maganga, Salima.