By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Katete Magistrate Court has sentenced a Local Court Magistrate and a court Messenger at Kawaza Old Local Court in Katete to six months imprisonment for corruption.
The due were facing one count of corrupt practices by, or with, public officers contrary to section 19(1) as read with section 41 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012.
Emmanuel Mvula, 47, a Local Court Magistrate of House Number D45 Magazine Compound, Chipata, and Mabvuto Phiri 38, a Court Messenger, of Zakaria Compound, Katete, have each been sentenced to six months imprisonment with hard labor.
Particulars of the offence are that on dates unknown but between 1st April 2017 and 24th April 2017, in Katete District, Mvula and Phiri, being public officers working in the Judiciary as Presiding Local Court Magistrate and Messenger for Kawaza Old Local Court respectively, corruptly solicited and received K1,200.00 cash gratification from Cephas Phiri.
This was as an inducement or reward for themselves, to facilitate a favorable ruling in the case of child maintenance and use of insulting language which Cephas Phiri was facing under the same court, a matter or transaction that concerned the Local Court, a Public body.
The duo was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission in April 2017 and charged with one count of corrupt practices by, or with, public officers.
