— Three get ‘caged’ for TV set theft in Mongu

Three  get ‘caged’  for TV set theft in Mongu

Mongu 1st December 2014-ZANIS— The Mongu Magistrate Court has sentenced three men to one month imprisonment with hard labour for stealing a television (TV) Set.

Before Magistrate Julius Malata were Abel Muyunda, Chipango Nasilele and Brighton Ngombo all of Mongu town who are both facing a charge of one count of being found in possession of stolen property contrary to section 319 Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

Facts before the court were that on the 9th of November 2014 around 20 00 hours while Mongu Police Officers were conducting night patrols received a report from the public that there were people selling an alleged stolen TV set in Namuku area.

The Court heard that the Police rushed to Namuku and found the three men advertising the TV set which they abandoned upon seeing the police officers  who quickly rounded-up and apprehended the suspects.

The trio accepted the charge and thereby Magistrate Malata sentenced the suspects a month imprisonment each with hard labour.

However, the suspects in their plea asked the Court to exercise maximum leniency on them as they were all family men and first offenders.

Chipango Nasilele and Brighton Ngombo told the court that they were married with two children each while Abel Muyunda said he was married with one child.

The trio said that if convicted their families and relatives would adversely suffer as they were bread winners.

Magistrate Malata said he took into account the plea adding that the trio were young and first offenders who if given chance to reform could contribute greatly to national development.

Magistrate Malata however noted that the case was too felonious and carried a maximum sentence of two years and were common in the area stating that it was only possible to reduce such cases by punishing offenders which could acts as a deterrent to  would be offenders.

He has since slapped Nasilele, Ngombo and Muyunda a one month jail sentence with hard labour with effect from 25th of November 2014.