The Principal Resident Magistrates Court in Lilongwe has on Friday October 27th sentenced conman Precious Kasakatiza, 22,to three years of Imprisonment with Hard Labour (IHL).
The court heard through state prosecutor, Fortune Kananji, that Kasakatiza was operating various Facebook accounts and in the process duping innocent people of their hard-earned money.
Precious Kasakatiza
Passing his sentence, Principal Resident Magistrate Rhodrick Michongwe slapped him with 18 months IHL for personation contrary to section 34 of the Penal Code, and another 18 months for the prohibition of offensive communication, contrary to section 87 of the Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act.
Kasakatiza, who lives in Area 36, Lilongwe, has for the past months been running numerous fake Facebook accounts swindling money from several people including men, who thought were dealing with a lady.
However, through the Digital Forensics and Cyber Crime officers, the Police instituted an investigation and cornered him.
Samuel Kumwenda, 38, is in police custody in Phalombe for allegedly operating an unregistered college in the district.
According to Phalombe Police Station spokesperson Jimmy Kapanga, Kumwenda is believed to have been operating a school called Phalombe Development College from September 17, 2023, with an enrollment of 40 students.
However, recently, some students became frustrated and started to demand their fees back after noticing the absence of essential learning materials at the college.
Samuel Kumwenda
Fees at the school ranged from K38,000 to K68,000 depending on the type of course.
Kapanga added that investigations following complaints the police received established that the college was being run without relevant registration certificates.
According to the police publicist, the suspect will appear in court soon to answer a case of operating an unregistered college which contravenes Section 55 of the Education Act, 2014.
Samuel Kumwenda hails from Namasalima village in the area of Traditional Authority Kuntumanji in Zomba district.
Defenders 4. Elvis Kafoteka 5. Allan Kamanga 6. Ojukwu Malunga 7. James Sangala 8. Noel Kaole 9. Harry Nyirenda 10. Chikumbutso Kanyenda 11. Francis Songo 12. Willie Chambwinja
Midfielders 13. Moses Chavula 14. Fisher Kondowe 15. Gilbert Chirwa 16. Robert Ng’ambi 17. Mavuto Lungu 18. Ken Mponda 19. Harvey Mkacha 20. James Kaniche 21. Nation Harazi 22. James Mwenda 23. Ulanda Kalua
Strikers 24. Russel Mwafulirwa 25. Jimmy Zakazaka 26. Gabriel Chirwa 27. Hon Arnold Kadzanja 28. Mapopa Msukwa
OFFICIALS 29. Coach Young Chimodzi 30. 1st Assistant Peterkins Kayira 31. 2nd Assistant Jim Kalua 32. Goalkeeper Trainer Lovemore Fazili 33. Team Manager Justin A. K. Saidi 34. Chaplain Chancy Gondwe 35. Team Doctor Sam Matukuta 36. Kit Master Mussah Shammy Nkhunda 37. Data Analyst Lawrence Waya 38. Physical Trainer Anthony Msendema 39. Patron Spy Msiska 40. Leader of Delegation Rashid Ntelela
A group calling itself ‘Team Walter’ has said anyone who wants the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) presidency should rather field their candidate than hold demonstrations.
The development comes barely a few days after concerned citizens in Lilongwe and Mzuzu held demonstrations, demanding the resignation of the incumbent FAM President Walter Nyamilandu Manda within 30 days.
Speaking during a press conference in Mzuzu on Thursday, leader of the group, Chilipo Okeke Kapanda, said Nyamilandu is free to contest in the elections which will be held on December 16 this year.
“We saw some people holding demonsrations yesterday, saying Nyamilandu should not contest in the elections which will be held in December and we are surpised because it is very clear that the laws allow him to stand which is his democratic right.
“We are here to say we want Walter to contest and if others are eyeing the presidency, let them come forth and stand against him instead of taking to the streets, making demands which are unreasonable,” Kapanda said.
He said Nyamilandu is the right candidate to contest, as he has contributed a lot to the country’s football, as far as the history of Malawian football is concerned.
“We have seen the construction of Mpira House, Luwinga Technical College which will be opened anytime soon, Nsanje Stadium.There are also several competitions under his leadership like Castel Ibongetse Cup, FDH Cup, Airtel Top 8 and even sponsorships for district regional leagues,” he explained.
On Wednesday, a group calling itself Concerned Citizens in Mzuzu delivered a petition to Mzimba North District Council in which, among other things, they demanded the resignation of Nyamilandu within 30 days.
Speaking after delivering the petition, the group’s chairperson Mervin Nxumayo said Nyamilandu has overstayed and there is need for change.
Nxumayo’s group also accused Nyamilandu of sidelining the northern region in sports infrastructure development, citing the case of the unfinished Luwinga Technical Development Centre.
Malawi President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has commended Malawi Defence Force (MDF) for being disciplined and dedicated.
Chakwera said this when he presided over the launch of this year’s Poppy week.
“I am honoured to welcome to Kamuzu Palace men and women who have served in our military and contributed to the Malawi Defence Force’s well-established reputation as a disciplined, skillful, and patriotic institution,” he said.
Chakwera hosting the veterans
He said when it comes to constitutionalism and institutionalism, there is no better role model in the country’s governance framework than the Malawi Defence Force.
He said for this reason, those who have gone into retirement after wearing the uniform with valour and honour deserve fondest memory and highest regard.
“I am therefore touched by the sentiments you have expressed here, Mr. Chairman, educating us about the status of our ex-service men and women and calling on us as a nation to stay the course in caring for their welfare and celebrating their contribution to our national security,” he said.
During the interface the president bought the first poppy at the price of K2Million.
