Man sentenced to 42 months in prison for child-stealing

Malawi: The Mzuzu Senior Resident Magistrate, Godfrey Nyirenda, has convicted and sentenced a 25-year-old man, Junior Bwanali, to 42 months imprisonment with hard labour for the offence of child stealing, which is contrary to Section 167 of the penal code.

Sergeant Enala Kalua, deputy public relations officer for Mzuzu Police, stated that the court heard that during the month of May 2022 during the day within Mzuzu City through Child State Prosecutor Sergeant Christina Shadreck.

Bwanali met the victim, who was on his way back from Masasa Primary School, and convinced him that he was related to his father. He later took the victim to a specific Chiwavi location.

At midnight, some well-wishers noticed the man with the small boy and asked him why to which he replied that he was his son.

Later, after questioning him, he failed to explain properly, prompting the well-wishers to call the police, who quickly rushed in to arrest him.

During the trial, Bwanali pleaded not guilty, prompting the state to call four witnesses to testify against him.

Magistrate Godfrey Nyirenda convicted him after reviewing the evidence and requesting leniency because he was the first offender.

In submission, state prosecutor Shadreck requested a harsh punishment to deter future offenders.

The victim has been disturbed, and he will remember it for the rest of his life, according to Shadreck.

Magistrate Nyirenda dismissed Bwanali's mitigation factors and sentenced him to 42 months in prison with hard labour as a lesson.

The convict is from Bwanali village in Salima's Traditional Authority Karonga.