Bingu’s bodyguard escapes jail sentence
President Bingu wa Mutharika’s bodyguard, Kingsley Mpasu has escaped a jail sentence after he was convicted earlier for “negligence by a public officer” resulting in the loss of a state firearm.
Mpasu who hails from Chapula Village, Traditional Authority Mabuka, Mulanje district pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted.
Passing sentence on Friday at Lilongwe Magistrate court, Cecilia Onsewa imposed a fine of K288 536.00.
The Magistrate said she opted for a fine because Mpasu was a “first offender” who pleaded guilty to the charge of negligence of public officer contrary to Section 284 subsection 1 and 2 of the Penal Code and has shown remorse.
The fine, Magistrate Onsewa said was for the missing pistol serial number is J335950 with 12 rounds of ammunition which has been missing since 28 November last year.
Mpasu reported the missing of the gun on 9 February, 2010 and said he lost the gun while binge drinking at a well known Bwandilo drinking joint in Area 47, Lilongwe.
Lawyer Wapona Kitta of Ralph and Arnold’s law firm defending the bodyguard informed the court that the pistol has been with Mpasu’s dependant, Masauso Gunde.
However, state prosecutor, Ernest Chipawo said the sentence should still stand in the meantime and that the court should hear the matter of the “lost but found” pistol at a later date.
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