Mchinji Third Grade Magistrate Court has convicted and sentenced a 35-year-old man, Frank Tobias of Matutu Village, to 18 months imprisonment with hard labor for stealing a National Registration Bureau (NRB) Identity Card belonging to Elemensia Zitaye to access Affordable Input Program (AIP) fertilizer.

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According to state prosecutor Sub Inspector Gerald Ngoma, the incident occurred on January 24, 2023, when the ACB was monitoring AIP fertilizer selling points in Mchinji.

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Elemensia Zitaye reported to the officers that she was unable to redeem her fertilizer because her ID had been stolen. After follow-ups by Kamwendo Police Post, the suspect was traced where he was dragged before the court.

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The accused has been convicted on his own plea of guilty and sentenced to 18 months IHL by T.G.M II Samuel Chakudza.

Mchinji police therefore strictly warn all vendors that are not using their own IDs to access AIP fertilizer that once traced they will face the law.

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Tobias hails from Matutu Village, Traditional Authority M’duwa in Mchinji district.