Man gets 23-years jail term for theft

A 22-year-old man in Malawi’s eastern district of Balaka is to spend 23-years of his life behind bars after the Balaka Magistrate court convicted for house breaking and theft.

Balaka Police Station Prosecution Officer Inspector Isaac Mponela told the court that the suspect John Bunaya broke into the house of Mrs Gloria Mphwiyo on March 28 and stole a mountain bike and two bags of maize valued to K43, 000.

“The suspect also during day time broke into the house of Mrs Ruth Marley at Majiga location, and stole the radio, and assorted clothes,” says Mponela.

Mponela said the same suspect also on 13th April, 2015 during day time at Majiga location, broke into the house of Rachel Jiya and stole a laptop computer, mattress, cooking oil and sugar valued to K320, 000.

He went on to inform the court that Bunaya on May 10, 2015 also broke into the house of William Munthali of Balaka Admarc during day time and stole a digital camera, Nokia Asha cellphone and some groceries all to the total value of K72, 000.

“And on 13th May, 2015 Bunaya again during day time at Majiga location, broke into the house of Mr Daniel Pondani and stole a DVD player, 2 LG speakers, cooking oil and 2 cell phones all valued to K100, 000.00,” said Mponela.

Bunaya pleaded guilty to all the five counts of house breaking and theft.

In their submission State Prosecutors Inspector Isaac Mponela, Sub Inspector Getrude Chingolo Kafumbula and Sergeant Anthony Mtambo asked the court to consider giving the suspect stiffer sentences saying that the suspect is a threat to the society.

They said the suspect is a notorious criminal considering the series of breaking offences he has committed. They said house breaking and theft is a serious offence which is punishable with death or life imprisonment and therefore asked the court to give the suspect a custodial sentence considering that some of the goods which he stole have not been recovered.

In his mitigation, the suspect John Bunaya asked for leniency when passing sentence saying that he is still young, a bread winner for his family and that he looks after his aged parents.

Passing judgment on separate occasions Victor Sibu and Maxwell Boaz concurred with the state that John Bunaya is a threat to the society and deserves a stiffer sentence so that it should be a lesson to him and would-be offenders.

John Bunaya comes from Kandengwe village, Traditional Authority Msamala in the same district of Balaka.

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baba
baba
8 years ago

I thought Magistrates are lower courts. How come magistrates give stiffer punishment than High Courts? Cashgate suspects when found guilty need to be given stiffer punishment because it involves public money and also considering that the stolen public funds could have helped people who are losing their lives in Hospitals due inadequate resources . Parliament should pass a bill that anyone found stealing public funds should be sentence to death. With this approach , Malawians will have fear . It should also apply to private sector. Mu Private sector ma Accountant ndi ti ma manager tikusaukitsa ma investors.

sofitiskated
sofitiskated
8 years ago

Anthu akumwera adakalibe ndikuba kwa armed robbery zothyola nyumba zachikalekale.Intelligent people steal in a smart way.Achita bwino kumanga zaka 23.

mulendo
mulendo
8 years ago

Mulungu atithandize, umbanda wachuluka eeiiish!

Ayatolla Pitala Mukhomeni

Anthu a kummwera kuba mulibe anzanu.

Thyolo Thava
Thyolo Thava
8 years ago

Koma eeeish amupweteka nayo….eish.

Ife A DiPhiphi
Ife A DiPhiphi
8 years ago

umatha judge!chala m’mwamba!

Mnngulu
Mnngulu
8 years ago

chrungamu mu Malawi. A cashgate kuba MK63 million plus koma 3 years jail! Muthu uyu kuba 43, 000 jail 23 years. Judiciary mzikhala ndi mulingo wachilungamo.

Allan
Allan
8 years ago

i like this mulandu wothyola nyumba ndiwaukul kwambiri kuposa kuba ndalama za mu office

Akillycandiero
Akillycandiero
8 years ago

Next time anthu ngati awa ndi to kill to shoot koz macourt-wa dubious popereka zilango

chefourpence
8 years ago

i think Sharia would be appropriate for this fella. On the other hand, why 23 years when cashgaters get less than 10 years. I think we need different court systems, parliaments, one for the poor and the other for the rich. Oh I forgot, we need a police service for the poor too.

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