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The Second Grade Magistrate Court has convicted and sentenced Mustapha Antonio Stanley, 34, to five years and three months for escaping from lawful custody and for being found in possession of a firearm. Bashir Ayami, 20, was sentenced to two years of imprisonment with hard labor for possessing a firearm.
The court heard from prosecutor Inspector Shadreck Wisiki that in March 2024, Stanley escaped from Mangochi Prison. Ayami was previously convicted of robbery.
Prosecutor Wisiki added that on June 5, 2024, the duo were arrested at Namwera Trading Centre after they were found with a RETAY pistol, serial number R1YGCPRYS01-2300846, and two rounds of ammunition, which they had stolen from South Africa.
Appearing before the court, the convicts pleaded guilty to the charges and asked for leniency, citing family obligations.
In his submission, prosecutor Wisiki reminded the court that both convicts are habitual criminals with a resistance to change, making their behavior unacceptable in society. He therefore requested custodial sentences.
Passing sentence, SGM Baxter Chikalimba expressed concern that the duo had failed the rehabilitation system.
Stanley was sentenced to four years for possessing a firearm without a permit and one year and three months for escaping from lawful custody. Ayami was sentenced to two years of imprisonment with hard labor for possessing a firearm without a license.
All of Stanley's sentences are to run consecutively.
Stanley hails from Chiponde village, while Ayami comes from Kabuthu village, both under Traditional Authority Jalasi in Mangochi.