MEC official convicted

The Blantyre Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday sentenced Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) employee Hanleck Mbwetule to two years imprisonment with hard labour (IHL) for stealing an external hard disk belonging to the organiaation.

Mbwetule, who was a temporary data entry clerk, was caught by his colleagues and was immediately reported to police who took him to court.

He pleaded guilty to the offence of theft by public servant contrary to Section 283(1) of the Penal Code.

Senior resident magistrate Edina Bodole said she gave Mbwetule a custodial sentence since the offence he committed attracts a compulsory minimum sentence of two years and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

A statement signed by MEC chief elections officer Willie Kalonga said Mbwetule was convicted on Wednesday.

“In passing judgement, senior resident magistrate Edina Bodole said the offence committed by Mbwetule attracted the mandatory minimum sentence of two years and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. She said a custodian sentence was a proper verdict,” said Kalonga.

Earlier, MEC allayed fears that the voters’ roll might have been stolen, saying the external hard disk was too small to contain 7.5 million voters