A 30-YEAR-OLD MALAWIAN has been sentenced to 35 years’ imprisonment with hard labour for stabbing a motorbike rider in the head with a knife before attempting to flee with his motorbike in Chipangali district.
Paul Banda and his friend, who was later killed by a mob, had attempted to escape with the victim’s motorbike after booking him to take them to a destination within Chipangali.
The duo boarded the motorbike on the pretext of being customers who would share the costs, but their plan was to attack the rider, Edward Jere.
Banda, of Sawala village in Mchinji district, was charged with aggravated robbery, which he denied.
Chipata High Court judge-in-charge Charles Kafunda said evidence presented before the court showed that the victim sustained life-threatening injuries after being stabbed by Banda and his deceased accomplice.
Mr Justice Kafunda said it was indisputable that the convict, acting together with another person, used violence to steal the motorbike from Jere. He added that the state proved a case of aggravated robbery against Banda beyond all reasonable doubt.
The judge noted that Banda and his friend failed to flee on the motorbike after stabbing the victim, as a mob approached upon hearing Jere’s cries for help. The motorbike also failed to start due to a broken crutch, allowing the mob to pounce on them.
He further said the state proved that the deceased and Banda were Malawian nationals from Sawala village, despite Banda’s claim that he was Zambian. During cross-examination, Banda failed to sing any part of the Zambian national anthem when pressed on his claim.
In mitigation, Banda said he did not understand the consequences of his actions, asked the court for leniency, and blamed peer pressure.
Mr Justice Kafunda, however, said crimes targeting motorbike riders are prevalent in Eastern Province and pose a threat to the transport sector.
“This type of crime is a threat to the economic sector of the province, hence the need to curb it by meting out sentences that will deter others from committing similar offences and ensure the safety of hard-working riders,” he said.
CREDIT: MAYENGO NYIRENDA/DAILY MAIL