The Blantyre Central Second Grade Magistrate’s has sentenced a 20-year old Desire Maganga to 4 years imprisonment with hard labour for breaking into a house and stealing plastic drum, a laptop bag and assorted clothes.
According to Ndirande Police Station spokesperson Sub Inspector Widson Nhlane, State prosecutor, Sergeant Kennedy, Bvumbira of Ndirande Police Station told Magistrate Mercy Katunga that on the night of August 21, 2022, Maganga broke into a certain house in Ndirande and stole a plastic drum, a laptop bag and assorted clothes.
Bvumbira said the following day, the owner of the house spotted Maganga offering the stolen clothes for sale within the township.
He then mobilised community members who apprehended Maganga and took him to Ndirande Police Station where he was charged with Burglary and Theft.
According to Bvumbira, when he appeared before court, Maganga denied the charges and the state paraded two witnesses who testified against him.
In mitigation, the convict pleaded for leniency saying his dependents will suffer if he goes to jail.
But in submissions, prosecutor Bvumbira asked for a stiff penalty observing that the convict is a threat to the society. The prosecutor said offences the convict committed are very serious and that he deserved a harsh sentence to deter would be offenders.
Passing the sentence, magistrate Katunga agreed with police and sentenced Maganga to 3 years in prison for Burglary and 12 months imprisonment for theft saying the sentences should run concurrently.
The convict comes from Safarao Village under Traditional Authority Kapeni in Blanytre District.
