The Balaka Second Grade Magistrate Court has acquitted former Balaka district council chairperson, Councilor Michael Sauka Jr., of theft by public servant charges.

Despite four witnesses being presented by the state during the trial, they were unable to secure a conviction against Sauka, leading to his acquittal on two counts.

However, a security guard named Raphael Chauma was found to have a case to answer for theft by public servant by Second Grade Magistrate, Peter Mkuzi.

Sauka and Chauma were arrested last year for allegedly stealing iron sheets and timber worth K1.3 million from an old district commissioner’s house.