By Durell Namasani
The Thava Second Grade Magistrate’s Court has convicted and fined two students from Malamulo College of Health Sciences, for theft contravening section 278 of the Penal Code.
The two are Ernest Major and Maurice Bongoloro and they are both aged 20.
Court proceedings, led by State Prosecutor Sub Inspector Editor Kansasi, established that the two connived to steal under the pretence of charging their cellphones in their fellow students’ hostel.
The theft came to light when one of the victims woke up and discovered that a Samsung Galaxy and an Itel A70 phone were missing.
According to Thyolo Police Public Relations Officer Rabecca Kashoti, a search was conducted, and the stolen phones were later found hidden in a nearby woodlot.
She said, “During interrogation, Major confessed to stealing the phones and handing them over to Bongoloro, who masterminded the hiding of the stolen items.”
Both Major and Bongoloro pleaded guilty to the charge. In mitigation, they asked for leniency, citing that they were college students. However, Prosecutor Kansasi argued for stiffer penalties, stating that the theft was premeditated.
Passing the sentence, Magistrate Hygiene Mowe agreed with the state’s submission and ordered each to pay a fine of K200,000 or, in default, serve 24 months’ imprisonment with hard labour.
Major hails from Awali Village, Traditional Authority Nthiramanja in Mulanje, while Bongoloro comes from Guziwa Village, Traditional Authority Nkhulambe in Phalombe District.
