‘Mr Connection’ hit with K1m fine after viral video boast backfires

A man who dubbed himself ‘Mr Connection’ after allegedly boasting about his links to powerful figures has been slapped with a K1 million court fine after a viral video led to his arrest.

Ephraim Mbewe Malitino, 60, found him

self in the dock after footage circulated online appearing to show him threatening officers from the Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services (DRTSS) while claiming he was well connected to the powers-that-be.

The Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court convicted Mbewe on five counts under the Road Traffic Act, imposing fines totalling K1 million.

According to State prosecutor Richman Tchuwa, Mbewe faced six charges in total, including five traffic-related offences and a separate count of intimidation.

While Mbewe admitted the Road Traffic Act offences, he denied the intimidation charge, setting the stage for a further court battle.

Senior Resident Magistrate Shukran Kumbani fined him K100,000 each on counts one, three and five, K500,000 on count two, and K200,000 on count four.

The court warned that failure to pay would result in 30 days behind bars, but Mbewe has since settled the fine.

Meanwhile, the drama is far from over.

Proceedings on the intimidation charge have been adjourned to allow the State to call witnesses as prosecutors push ahead with the case.