Nkhata Bay Magistrate’s Court has sentenced 35-year-old Mike Kafoma to five years imprisonment for breaking into two houses and stealing items worth K166 500 ($243).
Police prosecutor Keston Chiona told the court that on March 1 2016, Kafoma broke into the house of William Mhone at Kanyazuka in the district and stole two invertors, two DVD players, one amplifier, two cell phones and two solar panels valued at K108 800 ($159).
“On March 7 2016, he also broke into the house of James Mwale at Kanyazuka and stole a radio, car battery and a cell phone all valued K66 500 [$97],” Chiona told the court.
Kafoma was arrested by members of the community and taken to police where he was charged with house breaking and theft contrary to sections 309 (A) and 278 respectively of the Penal Code.
He denied the charges but was found guilty after trial.
In mitigation, Kafoma said he took a loan and would be unable to pay back if sent to prison.
But first grade magistrate Billy Wankaya Ngosi said Kafoma deserved a stiff sentence because he planned to committee the offences.
Kafoma comes from Chingoni Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Mpando in Ntcheu.
