The Mulunguzi senior magistrate court in Zomba has sentenced 56 year-old Malawian Samuel Mukhwiri for illegal possession of medical drugs and for operating a private clinic without a licence.
The accused was caught on 8 December this year when Pharmacy, Medicines, and Poisons Board (PMPB) together with Zomba police conducted an operation to stop drug vending.
According to Zomba police prosecutor, Haswel Chimtali, the police followed a tip off that the accused was operating a private clinic at his house. “Immediately the team went to his house and they found assorted medical equipment and drugs but after interrogation he failed to produce valid papers,” Chimtali said.
Mukhwiri was then charged for illegal possession of medical drugs and hospital equipment, contrary to section 45(a) of Pharmacy and Poisons Act. He was also charged for operating a private clinic without licence, contrary to section 59 of the Medical Practitioner and Dentist Act.
After a court hearing, senior resident magistrate Wyson Chamdimba Nkhata sentenced Mukhwiri to three years imprisonment with hard labour. Mukhwiri hails from Kaselema Village in the area of senior chief Mkanda in Mulanje district.
