Court convicts Balaka vandals
The Balaka Magistrate’s Court has convicted seven people who pleaded guilty to charges of theft and malicious damage involving property belonging to businessman Hassan Safili Obeya.
The seven were arrested after Obeya’s property was looted two weeks ago following suspicions that he had trafficked a woman who was selling vegetables.Second Grade Magistrate Stanford Majoni has, however, reserved sentencing for the seven convicts to September 3, 2026.
The court has also reserved a ruling on bail for 11 other suspects who pleaded not guilty to the charges of theft and malicious damage.
Before convicting the seven, Magistrate Majoni adjourned the proceedings briefly and went to Balaka Police Station to assess the damaged property, which had been presented as an exhibit in the case.
The court has also withdrawn two minors from the case in accordance with Section 81 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Code.
The section provides that minors cannot answer a criminal case together with adult offenders and must instead have their cases heard separately.
Meanwhile, the seven convicts and the 11 suspects who pleaded not guilty will remain in police custody until September 3, when the court is expected to sentence the convicts and make a ruling on bail for the other suspects.
