By Lovemore Khomo
The Mangochi First Grade Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 convicted and handed a maximum of 5 years jail sentence to three men for being found with fake banknotes.
The three were answering to illegal possession of forged currency notes, implements for forgery and forgery of currency notes.
According to Mangochi Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) Amina Tepani Daudi the three are a 21-year-old Malawian Panganani William, a 19-year-old Rwandan, Emmanuel Saidi, and a 29-year-old Burundian, Jackson Sherma.
Both Panganani and Saidi have been slapped with 4-years while Sherma has been handed a 5 years jail sentence.
“The first convict was arrested on February 14, 2023 following a tip from members of the public after he was spotted at Mangochi main market buying commodities using the fake notes, and was found with K300,000 in K5,000 notes bearing AE3726680 and AA4725124 serial numbers.” Disclosed Daudi
According to Daudi, the arrest led to the identification and arrest of the other two foreign convicts for being the master-minders of processing the fake banknotes.
“The foreign convicts got arrested on February 17, 2023 at Chiphole Trading Centre – about 139 kilometers from Mangochi Boma – and were found with K165,000 in K5,000 notes, Canon printer, plain papers, razor blades, three printing color gels, scissors and blanket.” Explained Mangochi Police PRO
She continued “Upon appearing before court, William and Saidi pleaded guilty while Sherma did not. That prompted the state to parade three witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.”
Daudi further indicated that during mitigation the trio asked for court’s leniency, for they have family obligations.
She however, said state prosecutor Amos Mwase objected this in his submission by reminding the court that the offences committed are serious in nature and had serious impact on the economy of Malawi. “Passing sentence, First Grade Magistrate Roy Kakutu concurred with the State, therefore sentenced William and Saidi each to 4-years imprisonment with hard while Sherma to 5-years imprisonment with hard labour as a deterrent to other would-be offenders.” Said Daudi
