On February 12, 2024, the Mangochi First Grade Magistrate’s Court found Nuru Mustafa, 25, and Noel Maonga, 25, guilty of stealing educational technology valued at K66.5 million from St. Augustine 3 Primary School in the township and sentenced them to five years in jail with hard labor.
Prosecutor Sub Inspector Maggie Chibulire told the court that the two entered one of the school’s blocks in the early hours of February 5, 2024, which is used to store important educational materials, and took forty-three tablets, forty-three headsets, and charger savers—all of which were gifts to the school from Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO).
The case was reported to the police, according to prosecutor Chibulire, and a team of investigators responded right away.
During court proceedings, prosecutor Sub Inspector Maggie Chibulire narrated that, the duo on the wee hours of February 5, 2024 broke into one of the school’s blocks which is used to keep valuable learning materials and went away with 43 tablets, 43 headsets, and charger savers which were donated to the school by Voluntary Service Overseas(VSO).
Prosecutor Chibulire added that, the matter was reported to police where a team of detectives swiftly responded and successfully arrested the duo on the same day at Chiponde Trading Centre and later recovered all the stolen items.
Appearing in court the duo who pleaded guilty to the charges of breaking into building and committing a felony there in asked for court’s leniency citing that they are too young to be jailed.
In his submission prosecutor Chibulire reminded the court that the two are bad omens to the society hence the need to impose custodial sentences to deter would be offenders.
Passing sentence First Grade Magistrate Roy Kakutu concurred with the state hence sentenced each to 5-years imprisonment with hard labour.
Mustafa hails from Mtalimanja village, while Maonga comes from Samama, both in Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi.
Police file story by lnspector Amina Tepani Daudi*
Public Relations Officer*
Mangochi Police Station*
