Five Chilipa community day secondary school students were in first count ordered to rehabilitate damages at their school within 21 days in default 24 months imprisonment with hard labour and in second count to pay K10,000.00 fine each within 30 days in default 18 months imprisonment with hard labour following court ruling on Tuesday October 16, 2018.
The said five students were identified as (1) Smith Barnet(19) of Village Mkaweya in Chilipa area in Mangochi (2) Clement Davie (18) of Village Mkaweya in Chilipa area in Mangochi (3) Paul Henderson (14) of Village Matala in Chilipa area in Mangochi (4) Jana Joseph (18) of Village Ngatala in Chilipa area in Mangochi and (5) Rafik Allan (18) of Village Chilipa in Chilipa area in Mangochi.
Presenting facts Sub Inspector Maxwell Mwaluka police prosecutor currently based at mangochi police told court that before the incident there were allegations of maladministration in the running of the school by the head teacher which caused divisions amongst teachers which resulted to the abscond of classes by some teachers.
This did not go well with the students who felt their rights to education have been infringed.
Then on October 1, 2018 students led by accused persons felt their demands were not met, broke louvre glasses with stones.
As if that was not enough accused persons on October 11, 2018 at about 0500Hrs man handled their head teacher in order to force him leave the school.
Appearing before court accused persons pleaded guilty to both counts of malicious damage contrary to section 344 of penal code and assault occassion actual bodily harm contrary to section 254 of penal code.
Accused persons were found guilty upon their own plea of guilty.
In his submission police prosecutor asked court to usher stiff punishment to install discipline amongst students at the school.
In mitigation accused persons asked court to be lenient in order to give them chance to pursue their education.
In his ruling his worship second grade magistrate Augustine Mizaya concurred with the state hence on first count they were ordered to rehabilitate damages within 21 days in default 24 months imprisonment with hard labour and second count to pay K10,000.00 fine each within 30 days in default 18 months imprisonment with hard labour.
