Guta’s co-accused dies, robbery case to continue

A co-accused in the case where a former Malawi police officer, Constable Kondwani Guta is accused of robbery with violence has died, Nyasa Times has established.

Geoffrey Kandulu was arrested together with Guta on 13th December, 2014 following their involvement in an armed robbery incident that happened in Kanjedza residential area, Blantyre.

The two, whose case is still in court, were arrested for attacking and robbing an Indian businessman, Yasin Yusuf using a riffle. They stole K980, 000 cash and two cell phones all to the total value of K1, 120,000 and were caught after a fierce gun-fire xchange with police mobile force officers.

One of the State Counsels in the case, Jairos Chafunsa confirmed to have been informed of Kandulu’s death but could not disclose the date of his death.

“The issue of his illness was first brought before court; later on we were informed that he died but we are yet to get more details when the case resumes in court,” said Chafunsa.

Chafunsa said the case will continue despite Kandulu’s death.

The case, according to Chafunsa, has delayed due to arrest of Guta on other criminal related charges.

Guta and late Kandulu on 2nd January, 2015 pleaded not guilty to robbery with violence
charge. The offence as stipulated in Section 301 of the Penal Code attracts a minimum of 14 years
imprisonment, or Life Imprisonment with Hard Labour (IHL)-if the accused had used a dangerous weapon when committing the offence.

Chafunsa disclosed they were remaining with four more witnesses, to testify against the accused when trial resumes before Senior Resident Magistrate, Viva Nyimba.

Guta who hails from Thonje village T/A Ngabu in Chikwawa is represented in the case by lawyer, Lusungu Gondwe while late Kandulu was not represented by any lawyer.

The law enforcers arrested the two with the help of Kanjedza residents. In December, 2014, Guta used official riffle to rob Yasin Yusuf.

He is said to have stormed Yasin Yusuf’s shop in Limbe, together with his accomplice, where they accused him of keeping drugs which after searching were not found.

Guta and his accomplice are said to have later taken Yusuf to his house in Kanjedza where the armed police with help of the residents apprehended the two. Following the armed robbery incident, some of officers at Chilobwe Police Station were transferred.

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