The Lilongwe First Grade Magistrate’s Court has convicted and eventually issued fines between K5, 000 and K10, 000 to 56 people for flouting Covid-19 rules.

The convicts were arrested over the weekend at Mogassa, M1 Centre Point and Chigwiri as some were found operating bars beyond 8 o’clock in the evening while others were found drinking beer without wearing face masks.

In his sentence, First Grade Magistrate Robert Botha agreed with the state that the accused were a danger to the society as they were disregarding Covid-19 preventive measures and ordered the 56 to pay fines ranging from K5000 to K10 000.

Whilst commending the sentence, Lilongwe Police Station Deputy Public Relations Officer Sergeant Foster Benjamin expressed worry over some people`s irresponsibility for not adhering to the measures despite aiming at protecting their own lives.

“It is very unfortunate that people are continuing to disregard these measures that are already put in place by the government, people should adhere to these set measures.

“People should not be reminded to stick health protocols, everybody has a responsibility and as police were are mandated to ensure that everybody is complying so whosoever found not complying, the law will take its course,” stressed Benjamin.

The prosecution team asked the court to impose harsh penalties saying the accused were a danger to the society as they were disregarding Covid-19 preventive measures.

All the 56 convicts have since paid the fines to escape the jail terms of between two and three months imprisonment with hard labour.