A Magistrate Court in Dowa has fined eight people K50 000.00 each or in default serve 2 months imprisonment with hard labour for opening shops outside permitted hours contrary to Covid-19 rules and regulations on prevention of the pandemic.

State prosecutor, Sergeant Joseph Banda told the court yesterday that Charles Maloza and seven other people were arrested on Wednesday evening at Dowa Turn Off and Dzaleka Refugee Camp in the district after being found operating business outside permitted hours.

The eight pleaded guilty to the charge.

First Grade Magistrate Amran Phiri hoped that the K50,000 fine for each of the eight shop owners is deterrent enough to other would be offenders.

The convicts have since paid the fines.