On Thursday, Richard Lameck, who is 22 years old, and Friday James, who is 23 years old, were found guilty by the Mangochi First Grade Magistrate Court for attempting to sell a placenta and membranes of a newborn baby to a nurse at Malombe Health Center. The prosecution officer, Sub Inspector Ted Namaona of Mangochi Police Station, informed the court that the conduct of Lameck and James, which was likely to cause a disturbance, was in violation of Section 181 of the Penal Code.
According to a statement by the prosecution officer, Sub Inspector Ted Namaona, the two accused men, Richard Lameck and Friday James, visited the Malombe Health Centre located in Senior Traditional Authority Chowe’s area with the intent to purchase the placenta and membranes of a newly born infant. The men claimed that these organs were requested by a herbalist.
Upon being approached by Lameck and James, Kaliwo, a nurse at the health center, immediately reported the matter to the Senior Health Surveillance Assistant of the facility. The assistant then took the initiative to invite the two men into a room before reporting the issue to officers stationed at the Malombe Police Unit. Subsequently, the officers apprehended the accused men.
When the case was brought before First Grade Magistrate Roy Kakutu, the two men entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of conduct likely to cause a breach of peace. As a result, the prosecution called three witnesses who testified against the accused men in court.
Following the conclusion of the trial, Magistrate Katutu adjourned the case until February 21, 2023, for sentencing. It is worth noting that Lameck is a resident of Chipole Village in Traditional Authority Chowe, located in the district of Mangochi. On the other hand, James comes from the area of Paramount Chief Kawinga in the district of Machinga.