Mkukula First Grade Magistrate court in Lumbadzi, Dowa, has convicted and sentenced three security guards to five years imprisonment with hard labour for breaking into a building and committing a felony therein.
Station Prosecution Officer for Lumbadzi Police, Superintendent Aufi Ali told the court that the three guards, Yohane Chirwa, 24, Humphrey Machela, 36, and Frank Mwale, 19, were hired through a Security Company to protect Innoceria Green Belt at Kamuzu International Airport clash land and in the process they conspired to steal pepper worth over K1.5 million.
Despite pleading for leniency, citing family obligations and job loss, Her Worship Magistrate Melvis Sulumba sentenced them to 5 years imprisonment.
The Security Company was also ordered to pay K831,250 in compensation to Innoceria Farm.
Machela hails from Mapondela Village, Traditional authority Makwangwala in Ntcheu while Chirwa hails from Chipateni village, and Mwale, from Sadzima village both from Kasungu.