Courts convicts one for aiding illegal immigrants, forfeits vehicles
The First Grade Magistrate Court in Mzuzu has ordered Andrea Nyirenda 31, to pay a fine of MK250,000 or in default serve a custodial sentence of nine months with hard labour after convicting him for aiding 31 Ethiopian nationals into the Malawi illegally.
Police in Mzimba arrested Nyirenda on March 26, 2014 at Jandalala area in Mzimba District following a tip off from the Headmaster of Jandalala Primary School and some villagers.
The Court convicted Nyirenda on his own plea of guilty.
Police Prosecutor Assistant Superintendent Lone Tembo bemoaned the increase of Ethiopian nationals who are entering into the country illegally.
Tembo then asked the Court for a deterrent sentence for Nyirenda despite the fact that he was a first offender.
Magistrate Sophie Chimaliro concurred with the state saying it is the duty of the Courts to put a stop on the malpractice by imposing stiffer penalties.
The convict hails from Chimalawanthu village, Traditional Authority Kilipura in Karonga District.
In a related development, the First Grade Magistrate Court in Karonga has fined two people MK20,000 each or in default serve a custodial sentence of 18 months aiding illegal immigrants.
The Court has also forfeited the two Minibuses, Toyota Hiace registration number KA 6233 and NB2781, which they used in committing the offence and allocated them to the Judiciary.
