Lodge patron court for stealing electricity generator

JOHN KOMBEwrites@SunZambianA 37 year old man of Meanwood Ndeke in Chongwe appeared for trial in Chongwe magistrate court in a matter he is alleged to have stolen an electricity generator belonging to Derrick Munkombwe.This is a case in which Davies Zulu is charged with theft contrary to Section 272, Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia. The matter came up for trial before magistrate Majory Saasa.Particulars of the offence are that the accused is alleged to have stolen an electricity generator from Katambula lodge in Meanwood Ndeke. The incident is said to have happened on November 18, 2019. The generator is said to be the property of Derrick Munkombwe who is the proprietor of the lodge. The property was valued at K2, 500.00. A witness who was earlier connected to the matter told court that he was initially arrested as the first suspect. He submitted that he therefore took it upon himself to privately investigate the matter so as to prove his innocence. According to him, he later discovered the whereabouts of the generator through a tip. He said that he reported the matter to police and the suspect was arrested and the property was recovered. He positively identified the accused in court and stated that the accused was the same person who was found in possession of the property.Another witness who is an employee at the lodge told the court that the generator went missing on the night of the said date. She said that a client only identified as Elijah booked a room on the material night. She said that she only discovered that the generator was missing in the morning as it was not being used that night. She said that she had no reason to suspect the client who spent a night at the lodge, but said that her employer who reported the matter to police was the one who suspected him after police asked about the last client at the lodge. She said that police arrested him, but later released him on police bond. She said that she was informed that the generator was recovered. She identified the accused in court and stated that he was actually a regular customer at the lodge.Another witness told the court that the accused kept the generator at her house, she however stated that he later came to pick it. She positively identified the generator before court. She stated that it was the same generator which the accused kept at her house. She said that she only knew the accused as a resident of Meanwood Ndeke where she also resides.The prosecution promised to bring two more witnesses to court. The court therefore adjourned the matter to October, 19th for continuation of trial. The accused is remanded in custody awaiting the court his next appearance in court. The Sun