A gang that terrorised businesses across Blantyre has been sent to prison, bringing to an end a robbery spree that left traders counting losses and residents living in fear.
The Blantyre Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court on Monday sentenced five members of the six-man gang to 13 years imprisonment with hard labour after finding them guilty on four counts of robbery and two counts of illegal possession of firearms.
The five convicts are Martin Metson Phiri, Richard Mzinga, Peterson Ranken, Petro Kambadi and Oliver Maseko.
Another convict Brian Erick Banda, received a stiffer sentence because of his criminal record. Chief Resident Magistrate Paul Chiotha sentenced him to 21 years imprisonment with hard labour after describing him as a habitual offender.
The court heard that Banda had previously been sentenced to 21 years imprisonment with hard labour in 2015 for a similar offence.
State prosecutor Jacob Simenti told the court that Banda was supposed to still be serving that sentence but was released on what he described as a dubious bail pending appeal.
In his ruling, Chiotha agreed with the State that the six men committed serious offences when they unleashed a wave of armed robberies across Blantyre in February 2023.
The court heard that on February 13, 2023, the gang attacked Tam Tam Filling Station, where they stole K2.8 million.
