State prosecutor Sub-inspector, Abigail Mayuni told Thyolo Senior Resident Magistrate Assunta Maxwell that Chitekwe alongside his accomplices, attacked James Mpuliko aged 40, on his way from business on the night of May 31, 2020.

Mayuni said armed with panga knives, the thieves assaulted Mpuliko and robbed him of the cash before leaving him unconscious.

Chitekwe however pleaded not guilty to the offense, but three state witnesses proved him otherwise.

In mitigation, he asked the court for leniency saying that he is a family man.

But prosecutor Mayuni, asked the court to slap him with a stiffer sentence considering the seriousness of the offence.

Meanwhile, after analyising all the factors presented in court on Thursday, Magistrate Maxwell pronounced the 'deterrent judgement' to other would be offenders.

Chitekwe hails from Kabuthu Village, Traditional Authority Chimaliro in the district.