The Mzimba Second Grade Magistrate court has sentenced a 34-year-old John Mwanza to three years imprisonment for impersonating a Malawi Defence Force officer.

According to, MacFarllen Mseteka Public Relations Officer for Jenda police station, Mwanza presented himself as a member of MDF at Luviri and demanded fifty-two timbers and a sum of one hundred thousand kwacha from Gladwell Manda.

Mseteka said during court proceedings that Mwanza pleaded for leniency citing family responsibilities as grounds for a lighter sentence.

Meanwhile, the court has sentenced Mwanza to serve a three-year jail term with hard labour.

Mwanza comes from Kajikhomere village Traditional Authority Mzikubola Mzimba District.