By Shaffie A Mtambo
The Mangochi Second Grade Magistrate’s Court has convicted and sentenced Cecilia Liotcha, 31, to three years imprisonment with hard labor for stealing her sister’s property worth K12 million.
Speaking with 247 Mangochi Police Public Relations Officer Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi,says Liotcha, who hails from Mapira Village, Traditional Authority Mapira, in Mangochi, was entrusted with looking after her sister’s property while she was away working in South Africa.
However, Liotcha betrayed the trust and stole several items, including a Nissan half-ton engine, cylinder, bumper, car batteries, tyres, paint, door frames, and mountain bikes.
The theft was discovered by one of their brothers, and Liotcha was arrested after a police investigation recovered some of the stolen property from a local businessman.
In court, Liotcha pleaded guilty to both charges of theft of a bicycle and general theft but asked for leniency, citing her 2-year-old son’s well-being.
However, the prosecution argued that Liotcha’s actions were a serious breach of trust and deserved a stiffer penalty.
Second Grade Magistrate Joshua Chirambo agreed with the prosecution and sentenced Liotcha to three years imprisonment with hard labor for theft of a bicycle and two years for general theft, with the sentences to run concurrently.
