The Karonga First Grade Magistrate Court has convicted three Ward Councillors for abuse of office, theft and fraudulently pocketing K2.4 million from 80 Karonga market vendors in n exchange for plots.

The offence is said to have been commited in December, 2019.

The three are Steven Simsokwe (MCP) for Chilanga Ward, Ngasalayumo Mwangonde (UTM Party) for Kaporo Ward and Smart Mwakayira (DPP) for Rukulu Ward.

In his ruling a while aho, First Grade Magistrate Julius Kalambo said after going through the evidence and submissions from both the State and Defence, the court found the three guilty.

Earlier on, the State through the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) lead counsel Chikumbutso Harawa prayed before court for a meaningful sentence to define the true meaning of criminal offence which is to deter would be offenders.
However, the three Ward Councillors’ defense lawyer Lughano Mwabutwa said he had a long submission to present before the court.

This prompted Kalambo to adjourn the case to 2pm for sentencing.

Simsokwe, 30 comes from Mwenekawe village, Mwangonde, 48 hails from Mwakasangira village Senior Chief Kilupula and Mwakaira, 43 hails from Mwamalopa village in Paramount Chief Kyungu in Karonga district.

Source:NPL

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