The Chipata magistrate court has sentenced a man of Chipata to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour for stealing curtains at Chipata College of Education.
Chipata Principal Resident Magistrate Janepher Bwalya sentenced Yohane Zulu for the charge of breaking into a building, thereby committing a felony.
Facts of the matter are that Zulu on December 1, 2016 whilst acting together with two unknown persons broke into the male students’ hostel at Chipata College of Education and stole curtains valued at 250 Kwacha, contrary to the laws of Zambia.
Magistrate Bwalya read the charge that three witnesses, Sandford Kalito, a head security at Chipata College of Education, Abel Banda, a Security officer at Chipata College of Education and Samuel Chainda an arresting Officer from Chipata Central Police testified in the case but Zulu denied the charge.
The magistrate said she was satisfied with the testimonies given by the three witnesses and found Zulu guilty of the offence.
In mitigation Zulu asked the court to exercise lenience on him as he was a first offender with a pregnant wife who needed his support.
He further asked the court to exercise lenience on him as he did not like the condition of the prison.
And Magistrate Bwalya said she took note of Zulu’s mitigation but that the offence of breaking into a building and committing a felony was a serious one, which attracted a maximum sentence of six years imprisonment.
She told Zulu to appeal to the High court within fourteen days if he was not satisfied with the sentence.