The Senior Resident Magistrate Court in Chitipa has fined a 41-year-old man, Frank Kabaghe of Mthandizi Village, K250,000 for illegally bringing stolen cattle from Zambia into Malawi.

The court was told that Kabaghe was found in possession of the cattle, which he had hidden in a graveyard. Subsequent investigations revealed the animals had been stolen from Mphangala area in Zambia.

Kabaghe pleaded guilty to the offence and asked the court for leniency.

In his ruling, Senior Resident Magistrate Ephraim Chikwakwa ordered Kabaghe to pay the fine or serve a 12-month custodial sentence. He has since paid the fine.

According to police, the offence carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment.

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