The Dowa First Grade Magistrate’s Court has convicted and sentenced 32-year-old Alex Thokozani Kanthemba Phiri to 3 years imprisonment with hard labour for being found in possession of fake money amounting to K42 000.

The court through state prosecutor Sub Inspector Triza Kalonjere heard that the accused Alex Thokozani Kanthemba Phiri on November 4 2020 at Mtandire Location in Lilongwe District, had in his possession papers which had been engraved or made words, figures, letters, marks, lines or devices the print of which are peculiar to and used in or upon K2000 notes amounting to K42 000, without the authority of the Reserve Bank of Malawi and knowing that the papers would be used for unlawful purpose.

Appearing before court, the accused pleaded guilty to a charge of being found in possession of materials upon which has been engraved or made any such words, figures, letters, marks, lines or devices without the authority of the Reserve Bank of Malawi contrary to Section 54 of the Reserve Bank of Malawi Act 2018.

In his submission, state prosecutor Sub Inspector Kalonjere pleaded with the court to pass a stiff punishment to the convict, saying the cases of such nature are becoming rampant in the country.

Passing sentence, First Grade Magistrate Amran Phiri concurred with the state’s submission and sentenced the convict to 3 years imprisonment with hard labour to send as a warning to other would be offenders.

Alex Thokozani Kanthemba Phiri comes from Ching’amba Village in the area of Traditional Authority Chiwere in Dowa District.

Credit: BeyondFm