Two jailed for trying to kill friend in Mzuzu

The second grade magistrate court in Mzuzu on Friday sentenced two businessmen from Enukweni to 8 years imprisonment with hard labour after they conspired to kill their friend.

The convicts are Masudi Witman, 28, and 20 year-old Maulana Adam. According to state prosecutor Sub-Inspector Lyson Kachikondo, the victim and the two convicts have known each other for more than 10 years.

The victim is also a trader and he operates his business close to Witman’s place of business.

On 1 April at around 18:00 hours, the victim closed his shop for the day and he overheard Witman talking to unknown people on phone informing them that he was closing the shop.

As he was heading home he met Adam who blocked his way, attacked him, and stabbed him in his stomach until the victim’s intestines were dangling outside.

The attackers also stabbed him on the head and shoulder. The thug thought the victim had died and he run away.

However, the victim managed to walk for a short distance before falling down again.

He was taken to Enukweni Police Unit by well-wishers and then to Mzuzu Central Hospital where he was admitted for two weeks.

The suspects were arrested and charged with grievous harm contrary to section 238 of the penal code but they pleaded not guilty before the court of law.

The state paraded seven witnesses amongst them a clinician from Mzuzu central hospital who operated on the victim, a village headman, and a woman whom the convicts wanted to bribe so that she should witness in their favour.

The state prosecutor told the court that the convicts committed a serious offence which attracts maximum penalty of 14 year IHL and it is by grace that the victim is alive though he is still in pain and surviving on liquid foods.

In mitigation, the two said that they have families and orphans to take care of at home.

When passing judgment Second Grade Magistrate Brian Sambo said the two should have been charged with attempted murder because their aim was not to injure but to kill and from all evidence there is no doubt that they committed the offence.

He said it doesn’t matter that the first convict was not on the crime scene but by masterminding it, he is guilty according to section 21 of the penal code and if the victim can die they will be taken to court again to be charged with murder.

Sambo therefore he sentenced them to 8 years imprisonment with hard labour since they are first offenders.

Witman hails from Mikudi Village, T/A Nyambo in Mangochi district while Maulana Adam comes from Maka Village, T/A Nyambo in the same district.