Chileka First Grade Magistrate Court has sentenced three armed thugs to 22 years imprisonment with hard labour for allegedly robbing Chirimba Assemblies of God Church in Blantyre.

In February this year, the armed thugs who were over 20 in total invade Chirimba Assemblies of God in Blantyre and found congregants together with their pastors attending night of prayers.

The armed robbers stopped the Pastor from preaching and asked him remove his shoes, belt and wristwatch.

The criminals also demanded cellphones and laptop from the Pastor before descending to the congregants.

The armed robbers were arrested a week after the incident and the police recovered some items namely; three laptops, two plasma television sets, DVD players and  laptop bags and seven pieces of wrappers (zitenje).

The accused namely Anafi Jango Kawisa, Leo Mwenda and John Foster appeared before Chileka Magistrate Court where they were sentenced to 14 years IHL to run consecutively with 8 years they were sentenced in Chileka.

The development means the convicts will serve 22 years jail sentence.