Ex-convict sentenced to 7 years in jai On April 18, 2024, the Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court found Andrew Sawabu, 37, guilty of robbery and sentenced him to seven years in jail with hard labor. His three accomplices are awaiting trial. Inspector Shadreck Wisiki, the state prosecutor, informed the court during the hearing that Sawabu had already been sentenced in 2022 to two years in prison for injuring a police officer while performing his duties. On October 4, 2023, Sawabu and his six accomplices ambushed 29-year-old Tadala Twaha, who runs Mukuru money transactions in the Mchocholo area. Tadala Twaha was traveling from Mangochi Boma to pick up K2.8 million intended for commercial purposes. Twaha was attacked with chemicals by the attackers, who were driving a white Toyota Chasser with the license plate KA5891, before they drove off with the cash in a duffel bag. After the police were notified of the situation, they launched an investigation that resulted in the arrest of four people—including Sawabu—while the victim’s sister and the other three remain at large. It came to light that the victim’s older sister had really hired the heist crew. It was also proven that the attackers had hired the aforementioned car, which they had then painted black and white to hide the evidence following the robbery without the owner’s permission. In mitigation, the guilty man, represented by Attorney Smart Khalifa, changed his mind and entered a guilty plea following a full trial. He requested indulgence from the court, stating that he takes care of his family. Prosecutor Wisiki hinted in his submission that Sawabu should be sentenced to prison because his behavior of refusal to change is pitiful and cannot be accepted by society. Sentence termination Senior Resident Magistrate Muhammad Chande gave him a seven-year prison term with hard labor because he agreed with the state. Due to their denial of the charges, the three accused—Saidi Haji, 25, Jimmy Nyengera, 31, and Ayami Kanamauta, 43—remain in court proceedings. Sawabu is a native of Mangochi’s Traditional Authority Mponda hamlet, Saiti Kadzuwa. Narration by Public Relations Officer…
