The Makande Magistrate’s Court in Chikwawa on Monday sentenced Mavuto Paul to 2 and half years in prison after claiming to be a police officer and making off with K90,000 from a grocery shop.
Paul, 32, was convicted on two counts of impersonation of a police officer and theft.
The court through Police Prosecutor George Hussein heard that the convict went to a Steven Njanji’s shop at Chapomoka village in Ngabu area and found Njanji’s son behind the counter.
“Paul introduced himself as Sub Inspector Jingini based at Ngabu Police Post. He claimed that he had come to arrest Njanji for stocking government exercise books. The convict went on demanding money so as not to effect Njanji’s arrest and he was immediately given K45,000 which he refused saying it was too little.” Sergeant Foster Benjamin narrated
“He was handed an extra K45,000 totaling it to K90,000 and walked away. He was tracked down and apprehended at the neighbouring Malemia village.” Sergeant Benjamin Added.
During his trial, Yohane pleaded not guilty forcing the state to parade four witnesses. He was subsequently found guilty as charged and asked the court to be lenient with him since he was servicing a K 3 million debt.
Prosecutor Hussein, however, prayed to the same court to impose a harsh sentence on Yohane arguing he had dented the image of the police.
Passing sentence, Second Grade Magistrate Chiyembekezo Phiri agreed with the state and ordered convict to spend 2 and half years for impersonating an officer and 12 months for theft.
He said the sentences will run concurrently, Yohane comes from Malemia village under Senior Chief Ngabu in Chikwawa District.
