The Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate Court has sentenced 26-year-old Nazil Osman to 10 years in prison and 21-year-old Thokozani Erick to three years in prison for inflicting multiple stab wounds and fractures on 49-year-old Macdonald Yokoniya.

The court heard from State Prosecutor Sub Inspector Vincent Ntalawe that the victim, on May 2 2022 at Area 36 Phwetekere, approached the convicts and borrowed pots to use for cooking supper.

Few minutes later, the convicts confronted the victim and demanded money he had realised from his sand selling business.

Osman, armed with a panga knife, stabbed Yokoniya five times in the right arm, head, stomach and cut off his left finger and tendons, leaving him fractured and unconscious.

He and Erick bundled the victim into the sack and dumped him in the bush.

Some villagers discovered the victim in the following morning and took him to Kamuzu Central Hospital where he underwent two major operations.

During their trial, the duo pleaded not guilty to committing an act intended to cause grievous harm, prompting the State to parade five witnesses.

The state prayed for lengthy sentences on the two saying their action had left the victim incapacitated and unable to mine sand for his living.

Passing sentence, Chief Resident Magistrate Madalitso Khoswe Chimwaza condemned the pair for “their wanton disregard for human life.”

Chimwaza went on to slap Nazil with a 10 year-prison sentence and Erick with a three year jail term to deter potential offenders.

Nazil comes from Kachule Village Traditional Authority (T/A) Kachere in Dedza and Erick is from Mputeni Village T/A Thomas in Thyolo.