Daeyang Luke Hospital robbers get lengthy prison sentence
Two armed robbers who stormed Daeyang Luke Hospital in March 2013 and stole items worth K3.5 million were on Friday sentenced to 12 years and 14 years Imprisonment with Hard Labour respectively.
The two, Paul Thomson Chikoko, 31, of Khaziko Village T/A Mwambo, Zomba, and Madalo Dickson, 35, of Mlolezya Village T/A Ndindi, Salima, were charged with burglary and robbery with violence.
The convicts, according to Kanengo Police Station Deputy Public Relations Officer, Salome Chibwana, stormed Daeyang Luke Hospital in Lilongwe on the night of March 12 – 13, 2013 where they wounded doctors on duty before stealing cash and items worth K3.5m.
Dickson and Madalo appeared before the Nkukula Magistrate Court in Dowa where presiding Magistrate Chidima handed down the sentences.
Magistrate Chidima said in his verdict he had given the two convicts stiff sentences because their act was detrimental to foreign investment.
“Such acts are very counter-productive to our country because they make foreigners not to invest in our country for fear of being attacked,” said Chidima.
Daeyang Luke Hospital had between December 2012 and March 2013 lost millions of Kwachas to armed robbers who repeatedly attacked the premises, injured staff and looted the facility.
The development led the hospital’s management team to seek audience with President Dr. Joyce Banda who directed the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the hospital received maximum protection.
President Banda consequently visited Luke Daeyang Hospital on May 16, 2013 where she reaffirmed a 24-hour police patrol around the hospital and called for the police to ensure that the perpetual culprits were apprehended.
Situated about a kilometer to the east of Malawi Institute of Management (MIM), Daeyang Luke is a Korean Missionary Church hospital and it was opened in March 2008 with a capacity of 60.
