2 months simple imprisonment for stealing potatoes

MULENGA MUSONDA writes A Grade eight pupil of a named School who had a shortfall of K50 to buy a bicycle has been slapped with two months imprisonment for stealing a bag of Irish potatoes. Abinely Muleya 21 of Dimbwe area in Kalomo district told Resident Magistrate Ethel Phiri that he really wanted to buy […]

2 months simple imprisonment for stealing potatoes
MULENGA MUSONDA writes A Grade eight pupil of a named School who had a shortfall of K50 to buy a bicycle has been slapped with two months imprisonment for stealing a bag of Irish potatoes. Abinely Muleya 21 of Dimbwe area in Kalomo district told Resident Magistrate Ethel Phiri that he really wanted to buy the Bicycle but was less by K50 hence he decided to steal the potatoes to raise the money. In this matter Muleya stood charged with Theft contrary to section 272 of the Penal Code of the Laws of Zambia. Particulars of the offence are that Muleya on 9th July 2020 stole 1 Bag of Potatoes valued at K350 the property of Kala Two Farms. When he appeared for plea in the Choma Magistrates Court, Muleya who has a stature of someone in his mid teens willingly admitted the charge read to him. Court: Have you understood the charge against you? Muleya: Yes. Court: How do you plead? Muleya: I admit. Court: You admit that you stole the bag of potatoes. Muleya: Yes Court: Were you owed anything? Muleya: No Court: Did you have any lawful justification to do what you did? Muleya: Nothing. Court: I enter a plea of guilty. According to facts read by Public Prosecutor Catherine Sakala the suspect was apprehended after a manhunt by the Farm security officers was instituted. This was after a Bicycle loaded with Potatoes was spotted, and when they inquired who it belonged to the accused appeared and insisted it was his. He was later taken to Police where he admitted to stealing the potatoes. After he admitted to the facts as a true reflection of what happened, Magistrate Phiri found him guilty in his own admission and convicted him accordingly. In passing the 2 months simple imprisonment sentence the Court observed the fact that he was a first offender who showed remorse for his actions. The sentence was effective date of arrest and Muleya was informed of his right to appeal to the High Court within 14 days if he felt aggrieved. The Sun