The Kasungu First Grade Magistrate Court has sentenced four men to three years in prison for allegedly abducting and assaulting their village headman, Chief  Edwin Nkhoma.

Spokesperson for the Central Region Police, Esther Mkwanda, has confirmed the development, stating that the crime occurred on  12 February, 2024.

During the court proceedings, state prosecutor Sergeant Sibongile Mpumulo revealed that the village headman went missing on the stated date, prompting a police report.

According to Mpumulo, the four we believed to be ones who abducted and assaulted the chief accusing him for being a snitch.

The court also heard that the convicted men had been part of a mob that killed a police officer on December 30, 2023, during the officer’s duties at Mpasadzi Estate in the District.

The headman had reportedly provided police with names of individuals involved in the mob.

Although the four men pleaded not guilty to the charges, the court found them guilty based on evidence presented by the prosecution.

In delivering the verdict, Magistrate Chakaka Nyirenda sentenced the men to three years imprisonment for abduction and two years for assault. The sentences will run concurrently.