The court heard through Mangochi Police Station Prosecution Officer, Assistant Superintendent Davie Banda, that on April 29, 2021, Msaka Fisheries team was patrolling, monitoring and controlling fishing activities along the shallow waters of the Lake Malawi.

According to Assistant Superintendent Banda, what Mkandawire did was contravening Sections 14 (1) and 42 (1) (b) of Fisheries Conservation and Management Act.

Banda said in course of duty, the team intercepted the convict whilst fishing in the prohibited area using under meshed gear and without license.

He added that, “the team confiscated the fishing equipment and reported the matter to the Police.”

Appearing in court, the accused pleaded guilty to the charges leveled against him and in mitigation, asked for the court’s leniency, saying he is old and also a breadwinner to his family, but prosecutor Banda, asked the court for a stiffer penalty.

First Grade Magistrate Mtunduwatha Mpasu, concurred with the state and ordered him to pay a fine of K350,000 for fishing using unlawful method and another K350,000 for fishing in the waters without license.

Meanwhile, the accused has paid half of the money and has been given a period of a month to pay the balance.

Boyidi Mkandawire, hails from Kondowe Village, Traditional Authority Mwasiska in Nkhata-bay district.