Midima Senior Resident Magistrate Court in Limbe on Wednesday convicted and sentenced a 38-year-old-man, to four years Imprisonment with Hard Labour (IHL) for house breaking and thief contrary to sections 309 and 278 of the Penal Code respectively.

The court heard through State Prosecutor, Inspector Esau Paul Wilson, that the convict, Fred Mukholi, was employed as a garden boy and later as a house guard at the victim’s house (name withheld) in Chigumula in Limbe Township.

Wilson said in January, 2024, the convict stole the house keys which he used to break into the house during the night of September 10, 2024 while the owner was out for a night of prayer.

“He stole various household items as well as 36 bags of maize all valued at K 2.7 million. The matter was reported at Limbe Police Station and an investigation was launched that led to the arrest of Mukholi,” he said.

Appearing before the court Mukholi pleaded guilty to both charges and in mitigation begged for leniency, saying he takes care of his old parents, wife and a disabled child.

In his submission, Prosecutor Wilson prayed for a stiffer punishment to the convict to set as an example to would-be offenders.

Passing verdict, Senior Resident Magistrate Assunta Muwalo Maxwell slapped the convict with four years IHL for both counts.

Mukholi hails from Sitima Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Mchilamwela in Thyolo District.

Source:Mana