A notorious criminal, Davie Mtendere, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting a Kabaza motorcycle operator in Thyolo.

Senior Resident Magistrate Asunta Maxwell found Mtendere, aged 28, guilty of attempting to rob John Harry in 2023.

State prosecutor Felix Senzani told the court that on January 25, 2023, Mtendere and his accomplice hired Harry at the Thunga trading centre on their way to Goliati before shooting him in an attempt to steal his motorcycle.

After the shooting, Harry screamed for help, and the community foiled the robbery.

Police later arrested Mtendere in Phalombe, and he led them to Bangwe, where he had hidden the stolen firearm.