Nakonde thief caged two years

—–The Nakonde magistrate’s court in Muchinga Province has convicted and sentenced a 24-year-old-man to two years imprisonment with hard labour after he was found guilty on charges of breaking into someone’s building and committing a felony contrary to the Laws of Zambia. 

Appearing before Nakonde magistrate Joshua Sikazwe for sentencing was Alick Sichalwe of Brahim village in Chieftainess Nawaitwika’s area in Nakonde district.

The accused person stood charged with one count of breaking and entering someone’s shop at Nakonde and stole goods including a 25 kg bag of flour and 10 liters of cooking oil both valued at KR 357, contrary to Sections 303 and 272 Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offense are that on March 3, 2013, Sichalwe was arrested by police after he was reported to have committed the said offense at town centre in Nakonde district.

He pleaded guilty to the charge.

Magistrate Sikazwe further said he had taken into consideration all what the convict had said in mitigation but that such cases had become so rampant in the district.

He said he was therefore going to punish the convict in order to contain the situation and deter other would-be offenders in the area.

Mr Sikazwe further said he was sending Sichalwe to prison for 2 years with had labour with effect from the day of arrest.

“I am sending you to prison for two years with had labour with effect from the date of arrest,” said magistrate Sikazwe.

In mitigation Sichalwe said that he was a family man and that he had a problem with his eyes, a condition he said would be worsened if he was given a custodial sentence.