Malawi court convicts two men over fake dollars

The Midima Second Grade Magistrate Court in Blantyre has convicted and fined two men for being found in possession of counterfeit foreign currency contrary to Section 366 of the Penal Code.

The court ordered Maurice Tuwanje and Christopher Banda-who were caught at different points in the commercial capital, Blantyre- to pay K50,000 fine each or serve 18 months jail term.

According to Limbe Police spokesperson, Pedzisai Zembeneko,  Tuwanje was apprehend at Western Union branch in Limbe with $10,000 while Banda was caught at one of the supermarket and had $900.

They all pleaded guilty to the charges before Second Grade Magistrate Watisoni Mankhanamba slapping them with a K50,000 fine or 18 month jail term in default.

Banda, 29, hails from Amos village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Mchiramwera in Thyolo district while 45 year-old Tuwanje comes from Khwizi village, T/A Ndindi in central district of Salima.

In another development, Bangwe Police arrested 28 year-old Alex Matukuta for being found in possession of a pistol and other illegal items.

He was arrested last Friday following a tip off from other suspects who were nabbed some weeks ago.

According to Zembeneko, Matukuta was found with 11 rounds of ammunition for an AK47 and two for a pistol, two tear canisters, one start pistol loaded with five rounds of ammunition and two camouflage shirts.