Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, August 26, 2021 convicted and sentenced Frank Sawabu, 18, to 13 years imprisonment with hard for committing robbery contrary to section 301 of the Penal Code.
The court through state prosecutor Sub Inspector Emmanuel Kambwiri heard that in the wee hours of January 2, 2021, the victim Andrew Katemba, 51, Mangochi Social Welfare Rehabilitation Officer after drinking at Club Zero decided to go where he parked his motor vehicle Toyota Sienta registration number KK9077.
As he was about to start off, the accused and two accomplices emerged from the dark corner, assaulted the victim and went away with the motor vehicle and an ltel cellphone.
The victim reported the matter at Mangochi Police Station where investigations were initiated and led to the arrest of the accused and also recovery of both motor vehicle and cellphone at Mpondasi few days later.
Prosecutor Kambwiri added that the accused removed number plates, insurance and COF to conceal the identity of the motor vehicle and also withdrew K117,000 through Mpamba which he found in the phone.
The accused who was granted bail on medical condition was re-arrested on August 12, 2021 for bail absconding and the court revoked it.
Appearing in court, he pleaded not guilty to the charges prompting the state to parade two witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
In mitigation, Sawabu asked for the court’s leniency, saying that he is too young to go to prison, but prosecutor Kambwiri reminded the court that the convict has a criminal record when he was at 13 and his behaviour is a threat to the society, hence prayed for a stiffer sentence.
Passing judgement, Senior Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe concurred with the state, hence the sentence.
Sawabu hails from Mapira Village, Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi.
