The Phalombe first grade court has ordered 24 people to pay a fine of K 8,500 each for being found in the public without a face mask.
In court proceedings, the court through the state prosecutor Shadreck Wisiki, heard that, the 24 were arrested by Police officers who were on patrols during the night hours of July 18, 2021, without wearing face masks.
In court, they all pleaded guilty to the charges of contravening Covid19 Rules and Regulations.
In submission, Wisiki prayed for stiffer punishment as the one way of Covid-19 rules.
In his ruling, magistrate Damson Banda found them guilty and ordered them to pay a fine of K 8500.00 in default to 5 months imprisonment with hard labor.
They were all released after they paid the fines.
