The four are said to have been intercepted by police officers who were on patrols around Mangochi town Sunday, according to what Mangochi Police Prosecutor, Sub Inspector Maggie Chibulire, told the court.

“On the wee hours of June 6, 2021, the officers who were patrolling the town, intercepted a Toyota Hiace minibus registration number MH 7051, with several passengers on board and after searching it, they found four Mozambicans who had no proper traveling documents,” explained Chibulire.

Appearing in court, the accused persons who said they were on their way to Lilongwe for business pleaded guilty to the charge leveled against them.

In mitigation, the four asked the court for a lenient penalty, but prosecutor Chibulire argued saying the four did not follow proper procedures deliberately.

Senior Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe concurred with the state and ordered each of them to pay a fine of K70,000.00, in default to serve six months’ imprisonment with hard labour.

Michongwe, also ordered them to go back to their country and not to proceed with their journey.

Meanwhile, the four, Antonio M'dala, Sani Mustapha, Fernando Assan and Anthony Selima, who hail from Lichinga in Mozambique have paid the fines.