LILONGWE – The Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate court on 18 march 2020 convicted and sentenced a 19 year old Alick Kaumbala and 18 old years old Yohane Kennedy to 18 month improvement with hard labor for starting violent acts on the day when Timothy Mtambo was handing himself to the police in Lilongwe.

Inspector Kingsley DandaulaPRO for Central Region Police Head Quaters said the two were answering to the offence of Proposing Violence at an assembly which is contrary to section 87(1)(b) of Penal Code.

“The state prosecutor Sub Insp Patrick Dickson Chipote told the court that on 11th of March 2020 when chairperson of Human Rights Defenders Coalition -HRDC Timothy Mtambo was handing handing himself at Lilongwe police station the two convicts and others mobilised themselves at Labour Bus stage,started pelting stone at moving vehicle’s and burning tyres on the road. Later they were arrested.

“Dandaula said the two admitted the charge levelled against them but in mitigation they pleaded for lenient sentence because they are responsible youth who look after their old parents.

“In submission, the state opted for a custodial sentence of 2 years even though they were the first offender. The state further cited section 32, 34 and 38 of the Republic Constitution which gives every citizen right to association, express views and to assemble but without infringing others. The convicts violated the above sections hence a meaningful sentence was suitable.” He indicated

According to Dandaula, Senior resident magistrate Wanangwa Nyirenda observed that the conduct of the two was unwelcome as they caused havoc to innocent citizens hence handing the a custodial sentence of 18 month.

The convicts hails from Chamala village in the area of Traditional Authority Kaphaizi in Kasungu district and Nsamal vilage in the area of Traditional Authority Mkaya in Balaka district respectively.

Beyond Fm