MANGOCHI-(MaraviPost)-A 21-year-old man from Mangochi will spend the next six years behind bars after being convicted of illegal possession of an offensive weapon by the Namwera Second Grade Magistrate’s Court.
Shukuran Maxwell, from Kajeko Village under Traditional Authority Jalasi, was handed the sentence on Friday after the court found him guilty of possessing an airgun without proper authorization.
The court heard through state prosecutor Sub-Inspector Blessings Madikhula that the incident occurred on July 17, 2025, at Chiponde Trading Centre.
Maxwell’s wife was apprehended by community members on suspicion of stealing second-hand clothes.
When she was brought to Chiponde Police Unit and her handbag was searched, officers discovered not only the stolen items but also an airgun.
When questioned, the woman told officers the weapon belonged to her husband, who had fled the scene when she was caught.
Acting on this information, police launched a manhunt and later arrested Maxwell at his residence.
He admitted to owning the airgun and confessed that he smuggled it into the country from South Africa.
The Firearms and Ballistics Department confirmed that the weapon was indeed an airgun.
Maxwell told investigators he intended to use it to scare people, not to commit any crime.
Despite pleading not guilty in court, the prosecution successfully paraded two witnesses who testified and provided evidence that led to his conviction.
In mitigation, Maxwell pleaded for leniency, citing his family obligations.
However, Sub-Inspector Madikhula stressed the seriousness of the offense, noting that possession of such a weapon whether used or not posed a significant threat to public safety.
Second Grade Magistrate Innocent Kondwani, in delivering his judgment, emphasized the need to deter others from similar conduct. He stated that the sentence was necessary to safeguard the public and uphold law and order.
Maxwell will now serve his six-year sentence with hard labour at Mangochi Prison.
