Nsanje First Grade Magistrate has convicted and sentenced four people to spend three year imprisonment or to pay k150,00 each for allegedly opening farms in Matandwe Forest Reserve.

The four, have been identified as Mbitchana Mulinganiza, aged 78; Isaac Peter, 33; 40-year-old Esther Sempulo; and Alice Chiyembekezo, aged 23, all from Nthondo village under Senior Chief Tengani’s area.

The court heard through the state prosecutors Sub Inspector Gladstone Kanyezi, that the four where arrested on 20 March this year after being found cultivating and harvesting maize in reserve area without permit.

Appearing in court yesterday on 27 March, the four pleaded guilty and First Grade Magistrate Grade Magistrate Watson Mankhanamba orded thm to pay K150,000 each or to spend their three years in prison with hard labor.

Meanwhile, the Judgment has shocked Malawians saying it is too hard for them as they cannot afford to pay an assigned fine.

However, Malawian well-wishers has raised the amount of k600,000 above to pay for them to walk free.