MANGOCHI-(MaraviPost)-The Mangochi Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court has convicted and sentenced Odisi Kanjira, 52 years old,popularly known as Savimbi, to three years of imprisonment with hard labour for committing various offenses.

The court heard through the Station Prosecution Officer (SPO), Inspector Amos Mwase, that on the afternoon of July 2, 2025, a team of six Immigration officers from Chiponde Border Post mounted an ad-hoc roadblock near Namitunda Estate along the Bakili Muluzi Highway.

While the officers were carrying out their duties, Savimbi who reportedly has a history of interfering with law enforcement officers on duty, approached the checkpoint at high speed and deliberately knocked down four reflective cones before fleeing the scene. The officers pursued and apprehended him at Sailesi Trading Centre.

Upon arrival, the convict mobilized villagers and incited a violent confrontation. Armed with a catapult, he pelted stones at the officers, injuring one officer on the left cheek. The injured officer received outpatient treatment at Chiponde Health Centre.

As the situation escalated, Savimbi allegedly stormed into a nearby butchery, grabbed a machete, and threatened to hack the officers before fleeing again.

The matter was reported to police and following thorough investigations, the convict was arrested the following day at Chiponde Bus Depot in Mangochi Township.

Appearing in court, Savimbi represented by Counsel Patrick Debwe pleaded not guilty to all four counts, prompting the state to parade seven witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

In his submission, Prosecutor Mwase highlighted that the convict has a record of interfering with law enforcement officers in the line of duty.

He stressed that every citizen is obliged to obey the law and respect law enforcement officers, adding that such nuisance behaviour cannot be tolerated in society. He therefore prayed for stiffer sentences to serve as a deterrent.

Passing sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Muhammad Chande concurred with the state’s submissions.

He sentenced Savimbi to three years imprisonment with hard labour for Acts intended to cause grievous harm, one and half years for malicious damage, another one and half years for obstructing officers from executing their lawful duties and one year for threat of injury to persons employed in public service.

All sentences will run concurrently with effect from the day of arrest.

Savimbi hails from Saiti Kadzuwa Village, Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi District.

The Maravi Post