By Saidi Winnes
Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday February 9,2021, convicted and ordered 12 men to pay K10,000.00 fine each in default 30 days imprisonment with hard labour for failing to wear face mask in a public.
Mangochi Police Prosecutor Sub Inspector Emmanuel Kambwiri told the court that, earlier that day Mangochi Police Station Officers were on COVID-19 preventive measures enforcement operation at Mpima and Mpondasi Trading Centres respectively.
In course of their duty, they arrested 12 men who were found loitering around without face masks.
Appearing in court,all the accused pleaded guilty to the charge.
In mitigation,the accused who are all first offenders asked for court’s forgiveness but the court prayed for a stiff sentence saying it’s high time that people started observing the measures to contain the spread of the pandemic.
Passing judgement Senior Resident Magistrate Josua Nkhono concurred with state hence ordered each of them to pay K10,000.00 fine in default 30 days imprisonment with hard labour.
