The First Grade Magistrate in Rumphi has convicted and sentenced four Zambians and three Malawians to nine years imprisonment with hard labour for illegal mining at Mwanda area inside Nyika National Park.
The convicts have been identified as Mateyo Mhone, 25, Macson Mhone, 22, Alex Kasonda, 28, Enock Mkandawire, 56, Jackson Munthali, 49, John Nota, 29, and Frakson Bikiyele, 23.
The court, through State Prosecutor John Charles Mabethi, Senior Assistant Parks and Wildlife Officer, heard that Mhone and six others were arrested on July 26, 2026.
They were charged with three counts: entering a protected area without a permit, possession of weapons in a protected area, and prospecting for minerals in a protected area without a permit.
Appearing before court, Mhone and his accomplices pleaded guilty to all three counts and were convicted.In his submission, Mabethi asked for a stiffer punishment to deter would-be offenders, stating that such cases are on the rise in the district.
The convicts, however, prayed for the court’s leniency, saying they are first offenders and breadwinners in their families.
The Rumphi First Grade Magistrate, Cuthbert Phiri, agreed with the state and sentenced them to 1 and a half years IHL on the first count, and 9 years IHL on the second and third counts.
He ordered that all the sentences run concurrently.Macson Mhone, Mateyo Mhone, Alex Kasonda and Jackson Munthali are from Zambia. Mkandawire is from Rumphi, Nota is from Nkhotakota, and Bikiyele is from Lilongwe.
