A 19-year-old man, Bright Ndekha, has been sentenced to five years in prison for pulling off timber from a critical bridge at Miseu Folo in Chikwawa.

Makande Magistrate’s Court found Ndekha guilty of an act that endangered the lives of road users on the M1 road.

The incident occurred at Mikalango Bridge, where Ndekha was caught in the act by passengers traveling in a minibus from Nchalo to Ngabu. During the court proceedings, Ndekha pleaded guilty to the charge of intentionally endangering the safety of road users, contrary to Section 237 (b) of the Penal Code. He pleaded for leniency, stating that he is the sole breadwinner for his family.

However, prosecutor Bruno Jobo highlighted the severity of Ndekha’s actions, stressing that his conduct could have caused harm to many people.

First Grade Magistrate Chiyembekezo Phiri, in his ruling, sentenced Ndekha to five years in prison.

Bright Ndekha hails from Nyaekha Village in Traditional Authority Ngabu, Chikwawa.