The Kyela District Court in Mbeya has sentenced Boniface Charles, a resident of Ibanda; Sadick Mwanyemba, a resident of Itope; and Biko Mwabulambo, a resident of Kajunjumele, to 30 years in prison for armed robbery.

The three were found guilty of attacking an 80-year-old man at his home at around 7pm on January 1, 2026. They allegedly assaulted him with a machete, club and metal bar before stealing two mobile phones, a bag of clothes, a torch, four bank cards and cash withdrawn from the victim’s accounts.

After committing the offence, the suspects fled the scene.

State prosecutor Brice Kessy asked the court to impose a severe sentence in accordance with the law to serve as a deterrent to the convicts and others who may engage in similar crimes.