A 29 year old man of Lundazi district sentenced to 35 years in prison with hard labour for murder.

The Chipata High court this morning sentenced a 29 year old man of Lundazi district to 35 years in prison with hard labour, for murder.
Appearing before Judge Mungeni Mulenga was Yotam Kajo Nkhoma, a peasant farmer of Lundazi district.
Particulars of the offence are that Yotam on 25th February 2013 murdered Lucius M’kandawire after a quarrel.
In mitigation, Yotam asked for the court to exercise lenience on him because he was a first offender and has a family, which will suffer once he is sent to jail.
But Judge Mulenga said the court had taken note of the mitigation but that the offence committed was a serious one and sentenced Yotam to 35 years in prison.
Meanwhile Judge Mulenga has sentenced a 21 year old man of Chipata district, to four years in prison for aggravated robbery.
Particulars of the offence are that Abel Mwila on dates unknown but in March this year whilst acting together with other two persons known stole a Canter Truck belonging to Cosmus Mbewe who hired them to deliver his chairs to his home near St. Annes cathedral.
The trio changed their mind on the way and asked Cosmus to get off the vehicle as Abel drove away with the canter.
Abel was then found by the police who apprehended him on March 17th for aggravated robbery.
In Mitigation, Abel who pleaded guilty to the offence asked for lenience from the court as he was a first offender and a young man who can be a future leader and was supposed to sit for his grade twelve examinations this year.
He promised to be a good citizen from the lesson he has learnt.
And in passing ruling, Judge Mulenga said that she has taken note of the mitigation but that the offence that Abel committed was a serious one, adding that she had exercised maximum lenience and sentenced him to four years in prison.
She cautioned Abel to learn from the mistake made and be a good citizen when he is out of prison.