Cop gets 14 yrs in K500m bank robbery case

The Standard Bank Mzuzu Branch robbery case finally came to an end on Wednesday with the Mzuzu First Grade Magistrate’s Court sentencing police officer Ken Kamwambi to 14 years imprisonment.

Magistrate Cuthbert Phiri also brought to the attention of the court that Kamwambi allegedly plans to deal with the magistrate and State officers involved in the matter once released from jail.

State prosecutor Jacob Nambiri commended the court for the sentence.

“We are satisfied because this was a serious crime committed by a very dangerous person,” he said.

Reacting to the ruling, Kamwambi’s lawyer George Kadzipatike faulted the sentence, saying it is harsh.

“The case should have been assigned to another magistrate because we feel the judgement was influenced by the alleged threats which my client denies to have made,” he said.

Kadzipatike said he will appeal against the ruling arguing the conviction did.

Kamwambi stood accused in a case where robbers invaded the bank in 2014 and went away with about K500million of which about K400million was recovered.

Malawi Revenue Authority officials and police intercepted a vehicle that was carrying the stolen money at Jenda Road Block in Mzimba.

Police later arrested some bank officials, a security guard and Kamwambi, but the other accused were acquitted.

The sentence will run from 2016 when the court revoked his bail.