2)—Nakonde court convicts three FRA workers

Nakonde court convicts three FRA workers
Nakonde, March 5, 2013, ZANIS… The Nakonde  magistrates court has convicted and sentenced three Food Reserve Agency (FRA) workers to two years imprisonment each with hard labour.

This was after the court found the trio guilty of theft by public servant
contrary to the laws of Zambia.

Appearing before Nakonde magistrate John Njapau for judgment
yesterday were  FRA Mwenzo depot Clerk Willy Chikwabe,24, driver
Selemani  Juma, 30, and a lorry boy Timmy Simukoko, 25, all of Ntindi
township in Chieftainess Nawaitwika’s area in Nakonde district.

The trio stood charged with one count of stealing 400 x 50 kilogram
bags of maize belonging to the FRA contrary to section 272 and 277 Chapter
87 of the laws of Zambia.

Facts  before the court were that on October 6 2012 at Nakonde in
Muchinga Province, the trio jointly and while acting together did
steal 400 x 50 Kilogram bags of maize valued at KR26,000.00

The trio pleaded not guilty to the charge.

During the trial the trio opted to give a sworn
statement and called no witnesses.

Passing judgment, magistrate Njapau said the court was satisfied with
the evidence induced by the state witnesses who proved the
case beyond any reasonable doubt.

Magistrate Njapau said the court had found the trio guilty as charged
and convicted them accordingly.

Magistrate Njapau said that he had listened carefully to what the
accused persons had said in mitigation but that however, cases to do
with maize theft involving FRA workers had become rampant.

Magistrate Njapau also said that in order to contain the situation,
the court must ensure that perpetrators of such offences are given
stiffer punishment.

He said that he was therefore sending the trio to prison for two years
each with hard labour with effect from 17, October 2012.

“I am sending you to prison for two years each with hard labour with
effect from 17, October 2012,” said Mr Njapau.

In mitigation, the trio asked the court to consider exercising maximum
leniency on them saying they were remorseful for what they had done.