Chikwawa road accident kills 3

Three people have died in a road accident in Chikwawa following a carnage involving a minibus and a motorcycle.

Chikwawa Police Station Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Dickson Matemba said the three include the minibus driver identified as Mavuto Justin, 32 and motorcycle riders identified as Isaac Chimunthu Banda, aged 45 and Memory Kabango Chimunthu Banda who were husband and wife.

Matemba in an interview on Tuesday said the minibus registration number BX 8070 was coming from Nchalo heading towards Ngabu with ten passengers on board.

“The accident happened at around 7 pm on Monday at Kulima Village near Crown Plantations in Ngabu along the Blantyre-Chikwawa M1 Road.

“What happened is that, upon reaching Kulima Village, the minibus driver was overtaking a motor vehicle when it collided head-on with a Yamaha AG 200 registration number CK 1388 which was coming from the opposite direction,” he said.

Matemba said that upon the crash, motorbike riders sustained head injuries and were later pronounced dead upon reaching Ngabu Rural Hospital. 

Whereas the driver sustained jaw injury and later died while receiving treatment at Chikwawa District Hospital, according to Matemba.

He said the other ten passengers escaped with minor injuries.

Justin hailed from Ngalu Village in the area of Traditional Authority Ngabu in Chikwawa while the couple hailed from Nkhotakota District.

Man commits suicide over family issues

A 39-year-old man, Gibson Phiri of Mputa Village in the of Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe in Rumphi Tuesday committed suicide by hanging himself on allegations that his wife accused him of spending money on beer instead of supporting his family.

According to Rumphi Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Sergeant Tupeliwe Kabwilo, the deceased
and his wife had been quarrelling over the issue for some time.

She said due to continuous misunderstandings between the two, the wife decided to leave the family and went to stay with her close by brother.

“Upon realising that the wife had escaped and left for her brother’s home, Phiri decided to commit suicide by hanging himself,” Kabwilo.

She said before hanging himself, Phiri left a note in his pocket stating that he killed himself over family matters.

Postmortem conducted at Rumphi District Hospital revealed that Phiri died due to suffocation. Police in Rumphi are advising people to refrain from terminating their lives whenever they face challenges but should seek guidance and counselling relatives, religious leaders and victim support units.
Phiri hailed from Wimbe Village in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Wimbe in Kasungu.

MUBAS student arrested for theft of laptop in Chitawira

Police in Blantyre are keeping in custody Lawrant Mbewe, a student at Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) for allegedly entering into a dwelling house where he stole a laptop computer.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency on Wednesday, Blantyre Police Public Relations Officer, Sub-Inspector Peter Mchiza said on March 28, 2022 at around 10:00 hours, Mbewe entered into a room of his fellow student Khwima Kayira who stays at Chitawira while the owner was away.
Mchiza said the suspect stole a laptop computer valued at K250,000 and sold it the same day at Blantyre Flea Market.
“The matter was reported to Soche Police and enquiries were instituted. The Investigations led to the arrest and successful recovery of the said stolen laptop,” he said
Mchiza said the suspect will be taken to court soon to answer charges of entering into a dwelling house and committing a felony which is contrary to Section 309 of the Penal Code.
Meanwhile, Police is appreciating the good working relationship with the public which is leading to effecting more arrests of criminals and recovery of stolen property.
Mbewe hails from Jimu Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mlonyeni in Mchinji District.
 

Sex worker found dead at a rest house in Mchinji

A 29- year-old sex worker, Veronica Solomoni, was found dead in her room at Gazebo Bottle Store in Mchinji on Thursday.

Solomoni went missing from January 5, 2022 until she was found in her room on Thursday, January 13, 2022, in a decomposed state,

Mchinji Police Station Officer, Charles Mpezeni, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) that Solomoni was working at Gazebo Bottle Store at Mchinji Trading Centre where she had her room to service men.

“Solomoni was last seen on 5th January and her co-workers thought she had travelled, but on 13th January, they discovered [that] a strong smell was coming from her room, and her body was found in a decomposed state.

“Beside her body was a screw driver and bed sheet was wrapped on her head. A postmortem done at Mchinji District Hospital revealed that Solomoni died due to suffocation secondary to wrapping of head with clothes,” Mpezeni explained.

He said the police suspect foul play and have since launched investigations.

Solomon hailed from Dama Village in Traditional Authority Dambe in Mchinji District.

Gule Wamkulu cult member arrested for sodomy

An 18-year-old boy has been arrested in Ntchisi District for allegedly sodomising a 10-year-old boy at a Gule Wamkulu initiation camp within the district.

Ntchisi Police Spokesperson, Sergeant Yohane Tasowana said the suspect, who he identified as Brino Daniel, is accused of sodomising the boy in August this year at the initiation camp at Chindewe Village in the district.

The boy did not disclose the ordeal to anyone as the suspect threatened to kill him if he did.

“It is alleged that Daniel took the boy from a place he was playing with a friend within the camp to a hidden place where he had carnal knowledge of him and promised to give him K200, which he did not,” said Tasowana.

He said the victim’s step father, upon noticing that his step son was having difficulties in walking, confronted him on October 29 this year when he revealed about the ordeal.

After checking him, he reportedly discovered that his anus was swollen.

Medical examination indicated that the victim had been infected with syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease.

Daniel, who hails from Chidaye Village in Traditional Authority Kalumo in the district, has since been charged with sodomy and will be appearing in court soon.

Man slapped 50 years for defiling stepdaughter

Zomba High Court has sentenced Mustafa Yunus, 31, to 50 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling his  9 years step daughter (name withheld).

According to the State prosecutor sub inspector Ezekiel Kalunga of Jali police station post that on 6th July, 2021, the victim was sent to  a certain market within the area to sale doughnuts and it was after few minutes later when she come back home to drink water.

While there she met her stepfather who dragged her inside house where she was defiled and threatened not to reveal it to anybody

“Later on her grandmother noticed some blood which was coming from her private parts and took her to Zomba central hospital where she revealed the issue to the doctor” said Kalunga.

The matter was then reported to Jali police station and the accused was arrested.

Appearing before court, Yunus pleaded not guilty to the charge levelled against him.
This prompted the state to parade four witnesses who testified against him to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.

In his submission, Kalunga pleaded with the court for stiff sentence saying the accused had a responsibility to look after the victim, but chose to violate his responsibility,.
She added that defilement cases are becoming rampant in the country and offenders deserved hard punishment.
Passing the sentence, Justice Nzondi Mvula concurred with the state about the seriousness of offence and slapped Yunus with a 50 years jail term.
Yunus comes from Mapila Village, traditional Authority Mwambo in Zomba.

Man killed on railway line in Mwanza

A man identified as Chilembwe James 27 has been killed by a train registration number K543 which was traveling from Nayuchi (Malawi Mozambique border) going to Moatize in Mozambique at 8 O'clock in the morning of Friday.
A security escort team leader of G4S Wesley Phambala has told Malawi News Agency (Mana) that he saw the deceased seated with a friend on the railway line some metres ahead of the train which was traveling at 70 kilometres per hour.

"When train operator blew horn for warning the friend managed to ran away while James remained at the place of the accident," said Phambala.

When police from Mwanza station visited the scene of the accident they ordered relatives to carry home the remains of James which were in pieces to his home village for burial.

Chilembwe James was coming from Mofati village in Group Village Head Mulongolora in the area of traditional authority (TA) Inkosi Kanduku Maseko in Mwanza district.

Woman fined K200,000 over Chamba in Thyolo

Thyolo Third Grade Magistrate's court yesterday August 11 2021 ordered Dorica Mawindo, 28, to pay a fine of K 200,000 for being found in possession of Indian Hemp locally known as Chamba.

The offence is contrary to Regulation 19 (1) as read with Section 4 (a) of the Dangerous Drug Act.

During court proceedings, Thyolo Police Station Prosecution Assistant Superintendent  Andrew Jose told the court that on 9 August 2021 at around 0800 hours, Thyolo Police Officer arrested Mawindo at an Ad-hoc Roadblock at Conforzi Turnoff.

She was found possessing four black plastic bags of   Cannabis sativa in a Minibus which was coming from Limbe heading towards Thyolo Boma.

Jose further told the court that the hemp was seized as evidence and was taken to Bvumbwe Research Station for examination and  analysis where results indicated that the illicit drug weighed 9 Kilograms and contained Tetrahydrocannabinal to substance.

Appearing in court,the accused pleaded guilty to the charge leveled against her.

In mitigation, Mawindo asked for the Court's leniency, saying that she has a baby and was still breastfeeding but Prosecutor Jose asked the court for stiffer penalty citing that the illicit drug has contributed a lot of side effects especially to the youths in the country.

Third Grade Magistrate James Balakasi concurred with the state's call for stiffer penalty and he ordered the accused to pay a fine of k200,000 or  in default serve 12 months imprisonment with hard labour.

Meanwhile, Mawindo has paid the fine to escape the Jail term.

Mawindo hails from Nanseta Village Traditional Authority Nanseta,in Thyolo District.

Man fined K200,000 over Marijuana in Lumbadzi

The Senior Resident Magistrate's Court sitting at Mkukula has ordered Mabvuto Chuma, 47, to pay a fine of K200,000 for being found in possession of Indian Hemp contrary to Regulation 19(1) as read with Section 4(a) of the Dangerous Drug Act.

During court proceedings, Lumbadzi Police Station Prosecution Officer, Inspector Bodwin Msukwa told the court that on 4 August, 2021 at around 02 oclock Lumbadzi Police officers arrested Chuma at Chinkhuti Adhoc roadblock along Lilongwe - Kasungu M1 road for being found in possession of three big sucker bags, one travelling bag and eleven small black jumbos of Cannabis Sativa in a Suzuki Sorio motor vehicle registration number BZ 6062 he was driving.

Msukwa further told the court that the hemp was seized as evidence and was taken to Chitedze Research Station for Cannabis examination and analysis where results indicated that the illicit drug weighed 120 Kilograms and contained Tetrahydrocanabinal.

Appearing in court, the accused pleaded guilty to the charge leveled against him.

In mitigation, Chuma asked for court's leniency, saying that he is a breadwinner for his family but Prosecutor Msukwa asked the court for stiffer penalty citing that the illicit drug has contributed alot of side effects especially to the youths in the country.

Senior Resident Magistrate Cecelia Onsewa concurred with the state's call for a stiff penalty and she ordered the accused to pay a fine of K200,000.

Meanwhile, Chuma has paid the fine to escape the jail term.

Chuma hails from Malenga 2 village, Traditional Authority Kalumo in Ntchisi.

Woman killed, mutilated in Mzimba

Police in Mzimba are hunting for unknown criminals who have murdered a woman, removed her right breast, right hand and shaved hair on the right side of her head at Yotamu Ng'oma Village at Manyamula in the district.

Confirming the development, deputy spokesperson for Mzimba Police, Sub Inspector, John Nyirongo said the body of the deceased was found by a herdsman, Kenani Ng'oma on Saturday.

"Ng'oma saw many house flies and later saw dead body. He reported the matter to Police who in company of medical personnel visited the scene," he said.

Nyirongo added that the law enforcers and medical staff found her body half buried and hidden with dry storks of maize.

"It was discovered that her right breast and right hand were chopped off. Her head was shaved at the right side,” he said.

According to Nyirongo, postmortem results indicated that the woman died due to severe bleeding.

He said the Police are investigating the matter to establish the details of the woman and that once arrested, the assailants are expected to answer murder charges, which is contrary to Section 209 of the Penal Code.

Standard 2 pupil commits suicide in Ntcheu

A teenager was found hanging dead in a tree at Senzani Village in the area of Sub Traditional Authority Tsikulamowa in Ntcheu.

The police have identified the deceased person as Chimwemwe Khwinda, aged 14 years old.

Confirming the development, Ntcheu Police Station Public Relations Officer (PRO), Inspector Hastings Chigalu, said the boy, who was a standard 2 learner at one of the primary schools in the area on Tuesday morning left home for school.

Chigalu said it was alleged that the boy was reluctant to go and attend classes on this fateful day. 

"Looking as if he had taken heed of his mother's advice, the boy left home as if he was going to school, but it was shocking to discover his body hanging in a tree a short distance away from his school at around 10:00 hours," said Chigalu.

Postmortem conducted at Manjawira Health Centre revealed that death was due to suffocation secondary to strangulation.

The deceased, Chimwemwe Khwinda, hailed from Lunguzi Village in Sub-Traditional Authority Tsikulamowa in the district. 

Chigalu disclosed that the district has registered nine suicide cases from January to June this year compared to two which were registered in the responding period in 2020.

He further highlighted that most suicide victims do not share problems with others for help, hence they end up taking their own lives.

Meanwhile, police in the district are advising people to share their problems with others for a better solution rather than resorting to taking their own life. 

Man commits suicide over land disputes

A 44-year-old man in Dowa has committed suicide by hanging himself to a tree over disagreements on land issues.

The man, Mackson Dickson from Chatsunda Village in the area of Traditional Authority Kayembe in the district, had a  long outstanding and unresolved dispute over a piece of farm land with people of Mdewa Village.

According to Mponela Police Station Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Mcpatson Msadala, Dickson, claimed that the land belonged to his brother who was in Mchinji while people of Mdewa Village claim it was their land.  

Msadala further said on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, Dickson went and cut down a tree in the disputed farmland, but this did not please people of Mdewa who, in reaction, reported the matter to Chatsunda Village Headman.

The village headman set July 12, 2021 as the date for hearing of the case, however in the morning hours of the date Dickson was found dead.

The matter was then reported to Mbingwa Police Unit where Criminal Investigation Department (CID) police officers and medical personnel visited the scene. Postmortem conducted revealed that death was due to suffocation secondary to strangulation.

Chikwawa man jailed 14 years for defilement

Chikwawa First Grade Magistrate Court on Monday convicted and sentenced 43-year-old Wonderford Thamalaka to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour for defilement.

The court heard through Chikwawa Police Station Prosecutor, Sergeant Emmanuel Namarwa, that in April, 2021, Thamalaka had been indulging in sexual activities with a 12-year-old girl at Timbenawo Village in the district.

However, Thamalaka pleaded not guilty and denied the charge of defilement when he appeared before the court. 

The offence of defilement contravenes Section 138 of the Penal Code, as such, the state paraded four witnesses who testified against him.

In his submission, Namarwa prayed for a stiff custodial sentence to the accused considering that defilement is a serious crime.

Namarwa observed that cases of defilement in Chikwawa were on the rise, noting that a custodial sentence would deter other would-be offenders.

In mitigation, Thamalaka asked the court for a lenient sentence considering that he looks after his family besides paying school fees for his children who are in secondary school.

However, passing sentence, First Grade Magistrate Gladstone Chirundu, concurred with the state on the need for a stiff penalty for Thamalaka and therefore, slapped him with a 14- year custodial sentence with hard labour.

Thamalaka hails from Sande Village in Traditional Authority Maseya in Chikwawa.

Man jailed 20 years for raping 91 year old

The Senior Resident Magistrates Court in Dowa has convicted and sentenced a 25-year-old man, Thokozani Andrew, to 20 years Imprisonment with Hard Labor (IHL) for raping a 91-year-old woman.

Dowa Police Public Relations Officer, Gladson M’bumpha, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) that the convict committed the crime on September 9, 2020 at Kapilinga Village in the district.
“On the particular day the victim went to Mkanganya Forest to collect charcoal remains but suddenly the convict appeared from behind, grabbed and raped her.

“However, the victim tried to shout but the convict shut up her mouth and grabbed her neck saying he will kill her if she dares shout,” M’bumpha said.

The survivor then reported the matter to relatives who followed the issue and found the convict at his house wearing the same short he had put on while raping the victim.

M’bumpha said the convict was arrested by community policing members, who took him to police while the victim was referred to Dowa District Hospital for examination and treatment.

According to M’bumpha, the convict pleaded not guilty during court hearing and this made the state to parade witnesses which led to his conviction.

“Appearing before court, the convict pleaded not guilty to the charge of rape contrary to section 133 of the Penal Code. This prompted the State to parade four witnesses, leading to his conviction,” said M’bumpha.

In its submission, the State asked the court to give out stiff punishment to the offender, saying the offence is serious in nature and that the victim is too old for the act.

Passing sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Joana Kwatiwani concurred with the state’s submission for stiff punishment and sentenced the convict to 20 years IHL as a warning to others from committing similar offence.

Andrew comes from Kaziputa Village in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Msakambewa in Dowa.

Source: Andrew Khabwira, Mana

Chinese national arrested for indecent assault in Nkhata Bay

Police in Nkhata Bay District have arrested a 51-year-old Chen Shiliang, a Chinese national for allegedly harassing two women sexually at China Civil Engineering Construction Cooperation (CCECC) which is implementing a water project in the district.

The women are Nellie Rashid, 24, from Machinga and Benezia Kadango, 26, from Dedza.

The two work in the company's cafeteria and reported that their boss, the chef  has been harassing them sexually by touching their buttocks and breasts while cooking, since May this year.

The matter was reported to the company's human resources manager, but Shiliang still did not change his behaviour. 

The matter was then reported to Nkhata Bay police who instituted investigations into the matter which led to the arrest of the suspect on June 28, 2021.

Shiliang has been charged with indecent assault.

Man jailed for wounding wife over K1,400

A 27 year old man in Dowa Evance Kachiputu has been convicted and sentenced to 42 months imprisonment with hard labor for wounding his 23 year old wife over K1,400 which she contributed to bank mkhonde.

The court through state prosecutor Sergeant Joseph Banda heard that the convict, on June 20 2021at Chiphika village in the district of Dowa unlawfully did grievious harm to her wife's left arm.

Appearing before court, the convict pleaded guilty to a charge of grievious harm contrary to section 238 of Penal Code.

In mitigation, the convict asked the court for leniency.

In his submission, state prosecutor Banda asked the court for stiff punishment, saying what the convict did was gender based violence.

Passing sentence First Grade Magistrate, Amran Phiri concurred with the state's submission for a stiff punishment hence sentenced him to 42 months imprisonment with hard labor as a warning to would be offenders.

Evance Kachiputu comes from Chiphika Village in area of Traditional Authority Mkukula in Dowa district

Man jailed for wounding wife over K1,400

A 27 year old man in Dowa Evance Kachiputu has been convicted and sentenced to 42 months imprisonment with hard labor for wounding his 23 year old wife over K1,400 which she contributed to bank mkhonde.

The court through state prosecutor Sergeant Joseph Banda heard that the convict, on June 20 2021at Chiphika village in the district of Dowa unlawfully did grievious harm to her wife's left arm.

Appearing before court, the convict pleaded guilty to a charge of grievious harm contrary to section 238 of Penal Code.

In mitigation, the convict asked the court for leniency.

In his submission, state prosecutor Banda asked the court for stiff punishment, saying what the convict did was gender based violence.

Passing sentence First Grade Magistrate, Amran Phiri concurred with the state's submission for a stiff punishment hence sentenced him to 42 months imprisonment with hard labor as a warning to would be offenders.

Evance Kachiputu comes from Chiphika Village in area of Traditional Authority Mkukula in Dowa district

Traditional Authority Makuta of Nkhotakota dies

The Ministry of Local Government regrets to announce the death of Traditional Authority (T/A) Makuta of Nkhotakota District.

T/A Makuta, born Shalimu Alumaza , died on Monday, 14th June, 2021 at his home in Nkhotakota after a battle with Pneumonia. 

The Chief was born on 12th August 1922 and served as Group Village Head Makuta before being elevated as Traditional Authority Makuta on 8th October 2016.

He is survived by a wife, 10 children and 55 grandchildren.

Burial of the remains of the departed T/A shall take place on Wednesday, 16th June, 2021 at his Makuta Headquarters in Nkhotakota. 

May the soul of Traditional Authority Makuta rest in peace.

Man jailed 24 months IHL for abduction, defilement

The Senior Resident Magistrate's Court in Dowa has convicted and sentenced a 32-year-old man to 24 months imprisonment with hard labour for the offences of child abduction and defilement.

The court through state prosecutor Sub Inspector Ezara Bakili heard that the convict Masautso Mc Joy between the months of July to October 2020 at Chikusa Village in Dowa District abducted a 17-year-old girl child to his home without the consent from her parents.

The court further learnt that the convict and the victim were in a love affair almost a year and in course of their courtship, it was found that the girl was pregnant since she was in Standard 8 and this happened due to closure of school because of Covid-19 pandemic.

After the re-opening of schools, the girl refused to go back to school after she discovered that she was pregnant and it was her mother who applied pressure on her to sit for Standard examinations without having knowledge that her daughter was pregnant.

State prosecutor Sub Inspector Ezara Bakili further told the court that after sitting for her examinations, it is when the convict abducted her to his home where the two started living as a family.

Later, a rumour broke that the girl was married and this prompted the girl's parents to withdraw her from the marriage, but two days later, the girl went back to the convict's house and this is when it was realized that she was expectant.

This led to the arrest of accused person and was cautioned and formally charge with abduction and defilement which he voluntarily admitted.

Appearing before court, the convict pleaded guilty to two charges of abduction and defilement contrary to Section 78 and 138 of the Penal Code respectively.

In mitigation, the convict asked the court for lenient sentence, saying he takes care of his old mother.

However, in his submission, state prosecutor Sub Inspector Ezara Bakili asked the court to mete out a stiff punishment to the accused person though he is a first offender.

Passing sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Cecilia Onsewa concurred with the state's submission and sentenced the convict to 24 months IHL for the count of defilement and 18 months IHL for abduction.

The sentences will run concurrently.

Masautso Mc Joy comes from Kamkosi Village in the area of Traditional Authority Chiwere in Dowa District.

Man gets 18 months jail term for stealing sheep

A 25-year-old man in Dowa District has been convicted and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour for stealing a sheep.

The court identified the man as Petro Buleya from Mtanda Village in the area of Traditional Authority Msakambewa in Dowa District.

The Dowa First Grade Magistrate's Court through state prosecutor Sergeant Joseph Banda heard that the convict Petro Buleya on May 31 2021 at Mtanda Village in the district of Dowa stole one sheep valued at K60, 000.00 belonging to White Majamanda.

Appearing before court, the convict pleaded not guilty to a charge of theft of cattle contrary to Section 281 of the Penal Code.

This prompted the state to parade three witnesses, leading to his conviction.

In mitigation, the convict asked the court for lenient sentence.

Passing sentence, First Grade Magistrate Amran Phiri concurred with the state's submission for a stiff punishment hence sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour as a warning to other would-be offenders.