Bank Robbers jailed 34 years in Malawi

Three notorious criminals who have been robbing banks in the country are to spend 34 years behind bars following their recent 12 years sentence handed by zomba senior resident magistrate court.

The three Chande Saidi 22, Nix Frank Dauda 27 and Robert Kadzuwa 37 were arrested for robbing Opportunity International Bank of Malawi OIBM.

Presenting the matter before court state prosecutor Counsel Louis Makiyi said the three on 13th April 2016 at Area 25 OIBM in the city of Lilongwe robbed the bank cash amounting to over 16 million kwacha.

Makiyi also informed the court that “Saidi and Dauda escaped from Maula Prison and were arrested in Mangochi after committing another bank robbery at NBS bank branch.”

They pleaded not guilty to the charge of aggravated robbery hence prompting the state to parade witnesses.

But when the matter was called for defence Saidi and Dauda changed their plea and admitted the offense.

In his submission before sentence state prosecutor counsel Makiyi pleaded with the court to impose a custodial sentence considering the seriousness of the offense and that they were not first offenders as they are currently serving a 22 year jail term for similar offences.

“In 2016 Saidi and Dauda were sentenced to 8 years for bank robbery at NBS bank in Mangochi, 10 years for robbery at Liwonde NBS Bank and 4 years for attempted robbery at Malawi Savings Bank Ntaja Branch in Machinga,” Makiyi said.

In mitigation they said are now changed people and asked that the sentences should run concurrently with the sentences they are currently serving.

Passing sentence zomba senior resident magistrate Paul Chiotcha said the convicts are a threat to the society.

Chande said comes from Ambali village TA Kalonga in Salima, Nix Frank Dauda from Bonongwe village TA Chimwala in Mangochi and Robert Kadzuwa from Dzungu village TA Bvumbwe in Thyolo.