A court in Dedza has sentenced a Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) officer to six years imprisonment with hard labour for stealing public money.

The Senior Resident Magistrates court in Dedza heard that stole K12 million tax payer money.

He has been answering an offence of theft by servant.

Chimwendo who pleaded guilty to the charge, had a duplicate receipt book that he issued to unsuspecting taxpayers upon unauthorized collection of revenue.

On Monday, April 25, 2022 Senior Magistrate Court Clemence Chamwenda convicted him after he admitted to stealing the money because he was possessed by evil spirits at the material time.

In mitigation, he asked for the Court's leniency arguing that he is a first offender. He also explained that he is a bread winner to his family, yet has already lost his job based on this case.

However, Chamwenda has quashed his mitigation factors and slapped the convict with six years IHL.

He hails from Chimwendo village in the area of Traditional Authority Mzukuzuku in Mzimba district.