Man gets 9 months for theft of padlocks and four bars of soap

Ndola magistrate Ben Akende on Thursday last week imposed the jail sentence on Davis Kataki, 47, after he pleaded guilty to theft.
The offence is contrary to Section 272 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia
“You have not said what you do for a living and what caused you to commit the offence,” Mr Akende said.
Particulars of the offence were that Kataki, on September 9, 2013 in Ndola, stole two padlocks and four bars of Dettol soap worth K172 from Pick n Pay.
In mitigation, Kataki pleaded for leniency because he is the breadwinner of his family and he takes care of his children.
Kataki submitted that he had a hearing problem which would worsen if he was sent to prison.
Facts before the court were that on the material day, Pick n Pay was open to the public for business.
Around 09:00 hours , Mwandi Mulenga,  a camera operator at Pick n Pay, spotted Kataki putting items in his pockets.
Mr Mulenga quickly notified security about it and he also saw Kataki picking up a loaf of bread from the bakery and paid for it at the till.
“He was stopped at the exit point and searched and the padlocks and the soap were found on him,” the facts read in part.
Kataki was taken to Ndola Central Police Station where he was charged with the subject offence and detained.
“The accused had no lawful justification to get the items and deprive the owner permanently,” the facts read in part.