The First Grade Magistrate Court at Mkukula, Dowa, has sentenced 30-year-old Travor Kalitsilo to six years imprisonment with hard labor for burglary and theft, in violation of sections 309(2) and 278 of the Penal Code.

Lumbadzi Police Station’s Prosecutor Sergeant George W. Makina informed the court that on the night of October 12, 2024, at around 23:00 hours, Kalitsilo, accompanied by a friend, visited Msinkhupuza village seeking a place to stay at his uncle’s home.

However, neighbors instructed them to leave, as his uncle was away. The following morning, a broken window was discovered at the uncle’s house, and neighbors alerted the homeowner, who reported the matter.

The house owner identified that various items, including electronics, clothing, bedding, food, and other household goods, worth a total of 1.4 million Kwacha, had been stolen.

Kalitsilo pleaded guilty in court but asked for leniency, citing his responsibility as the breadwinner for his family. However, Prosecutor Makina urged the court for a harsh sentence due to the serious nature of the crime and Kalitsilo’s prior criminal record.

Magistrate Melvis Phoya Sulumba concurred with the prosecution, emphasizing the need to deter such offenses. She handed down a six-year sentence with labor for the burglary charge and one year for theft, with both sentences to run concurrently.

Kalitsilo is from Kalitsilo Village in Traditional Authority Chitukula, Lilongwe.