The Zomba Senior Magistrate Court has sentenced two men to 3 years imprisonment with hard labor for attacking a motorcycle taxi operator.
The two suspects have been identified as Brian Shaban Mamani, 35, from Mingu village Traditional Authority Mwambo in Zomba district, Davie Bonongwe, 36 from Mbweso village, Traditional Authority Liwonde in Machinga and the motorcyclist as Steve Mangani.
The court learnt through State Prosecutor Sub-Inspector Chimpazi Katukwana said Mangani was attacked at Old Naisi turn off the night of September 6, 2022.
According to Katukwana, Mangani picked a customer to be dropped at Matawale location and as they were passing at Mixed bar the customer requested Mangani to stop but due to speeding, he stopped at Old Naisi turn off.
After a while, the suspects approached Mangani and hit him on his right hand with a hammer, but Mangani managed to escape and report to the police.
The police investigated the case and the two suspects were caught and were also identified by the owner of the motorcycle.
Appearing before the court, both suspects denied the offence which led the state to parade 3 witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt and both suspects pleaded for the court to exercise leniency as they are bread winners to their family.
Katukwana prayed for a stiffer punishment as the actions of the convicts put the Kabaza business at risk which is a cheaper and reliable mode of transport to many.
According to Katukwana, he further told the court that, there is a rise in similar offences in the district.
