The First Grade Magistrate Court in Karonga has sentenced Mussa Banda to three years in prison with hard labor after finding him guilty of two separate incidents of stealing large sums of money from passengers in his vehicle.

The court, represented by State Prosecutor George Manda, heard that on August 10 of this year, Banda offered a ride to Keshton Matandala in his Honda Fit at Tobi along the M1 road as Matandala was heading to Rumphi to purchase groundnuts. Shortly after the journey began, Banda stopped the car, claiming he would not continue the trip.

When Matandala attempted to exit, he found the door locked. Another passenger in the vehicle reportedly assisted him in opening the door. Once outside, Matandala realized that his bag, which contained K1.7 million, was missing.

Banda was also involved in a similar incident on August 11, 2024, involving Kondwani Mwanganda, who was also traveling to Rumphi for a groundnut purchase.

Mwanganda reported K2 million missing from his belongings after his interaction with Banda.

After reviewing the evidence, the court sentenced Banda to three years in prison with labor, where he will be assigned to duties such as maize bran sifting.