Malawi army soldier, 2 others convicted over Indian Hemp
The Nkhunga First Grade Magistrate (FGM) court on Thursday October 29, 2015, convicted and sentenced Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldier and two others for being found in possession of cannabis sativa at Kaombe roadblock in Nkhotakota.
Sub Inspector James Ngupasye Muyira, prosecuting, told the court that cases related to Indian hemp are rampant in the district.
Andrew Mitochi (34) of Kamuzu Barracks in mitigation said he was remorseful.
He went on to ask the court to be lenient when passing the sentence as he was a first offender and a family man.
However, before passing the sentence magistrate Buleya schooled the convict to be exemplary .
“We expect you as the law enforcers to be the exemplary in respecting the laws that you enforce. Hence a stiff punishment is required for you for others to learn a lesson,” Said Buleya.
He went on to sentence Andrew Mitochito pay a fine of K100, 000 or in default serve two year Imprisonment with Hard Labour (IHL).
Mitochi was arrested on Monday 19, this year at Kaombe roadblock when he was travelling from Dwangwa heading to Lilongwe on Dihatsu Mira Salon registration number IT 6496.
When police manning the checkpoint searched his motor vehicle discovered Indian hemp packed in two military bags.
The other convicts Gilbert Sichali (32) and John Gunde (34) were arrested after being found with 365 and 170 kilograms of cannabis sativa respectively.
Sichali and Gunde were arrested on October 16 and 22 and concealed the illicit drug on cartons and woven baskets.
They all admitted to the charge and were convicted and ordered ti pay a fine of K 350, 000 and K 80,000 or in default serve three years and one year and eight months IHL respectively.
Mitochi has since paid the fine while Gilbert Sichali and John Gunde are yet to pay the fine. They are currently at Nkhotakota prison.
The trio convicts Andrew Mitochi (34) and Gilbert Sichali (32) hail from Tito and Kamtekete villages respectively, in the area of senior chief Kanyenda in Nkhotakota district while John Gunde (35)of Chibweya village in the area of traditional authority MpandoNtcheu district.
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Ma soldier timayanera kulingalira kaaa kuti tizing’aima adani ndiye inu mukutilandaso eti oky chabwino zaveka zimenezo!!!!
Ka 100,000 ndi salare yake yamwezi watha ndiye stiffpernaty imeneyo?
100,000 stiff punishment?Anyway since court limayendera malamulo not personal interest but otherwise mhmmm! itdosent sound stiff
just ligalize sativa canabis mwina maluzi mkuchepa
Amene sanachimwepo stone these people.
Sindikuwonapo nkhani apa.Kodi nkhani ya chamba ndi mlandube mpaka pano?Za zii.
More fire soldiers
Town yavuta iyi asiyeni anzanu azithandize awo..amene muli ndi mitu ya paper’nu osayelekeza kusuta izi muthamanga muona haha
MORE FIRE ZOMERA ASIYENI.
Stiff punishment shd hv bn K10,000,000-00 or 20yrs in prison,our laws need reviewing to curb the growing illicit drug trade destroying our country.