Court slaps man over false news on police officer death
Karonga first grade magistrate court has slapped a 34 year old man to pay a fine of one hundred thousand kwacha or 12 months in prison for falsely spreading news that a police officer had died while defecating charcoal.
The convict Palisha Swira was found guilty on Monday 6th January 2020.
He was convicted on a charge of false publication likely to cause fear and alarm to the public which contravenes section 60 of the penal code.
The court through state prosecutor sub inspector Alfred Chidzere heard that on January 2 2020 Swira produced an audio about the death of sub inspector Michael Mwangomba which had gone viral
“Swira alleged that late Mwangomba confiscated two bags of charcoal from a certain man at Songwe border. In the audio the accused further alleged that officer Mwangomba was bewitched and he was defecating charcoal,” explains Chitedze
In his court appearance Swira pleaded guilty to the charge.
The state however asked the court to play the audio and it raised no objection
“In submission the state prayed for a harsh sentence arguing the convict’s conduct created fear and alarm not only to the deceased family but to the police as a whole,” Chitedze added
However Swira in his mitigation pleaded for a lighter sentence saying he is a sole bread iwnner and looks after his old mother.
In his determination first grade magistrate Julius Kalambo concurred with the state for a harsh penalty since the offence brought fear and alarm to the public.
However, he observed that such an offence is a misdemeanor attracting a maximum 2 years imprisonment and that Swira is a first offender.
He has since paid the fine to escape the jail term.
Palisha Swira comes from Naolondo village Traditional Authority Mwaulambiya in Chitipa district.
