The Second Grade Magistrate Court in Phalombe has sentenced Taonga Chidule, a 23-year-old man, to six years in prison for housebreaking and theft.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Jimmy Kapanja confirmed that the ruling came after Sub Inspector Lawrence Kambale provided testimony stating that on the 2nd of this month, Chidule broke into the house of a woman, stealing 50,000 Kwacha along with various items totaling 59,700 Kwacha in value.

Despite denying the charges, the prosecution presented four witnesses who confirmed that Chidule committed the crime. He pleaded for leniency, citing his responsibility as the head of his household.

However, Second Grade Magistrate Steve Samati agreed with the prosecution and concluded that Chidule should face a harsh sentence, particularly because none of the stolen items were recovered. Magistrate Samati stated that the sentence would serve as a deterrent to others, urging the community to learn from his example.

Chidule, who hails from Mtimwa Village in the Mkhumba area of Phalombe, will serve his sentence at a local correctional facility.