30 day community service for Rail Line thief

MULENGA MUSONDA writes@sunzambianThe Choma Magistrates Court has committed a man who stole Rail lines from Zambia Railways Limited to 30 days com-munity service.In this matter, Friday Muleya was convicted by Resident Magistrate Ethel Phiri for Theft contrary to the Laws of Zambia.Particulars of the offence are that Muleya jointly and whilst acting together with others unknown stole Rail Lines valued at KK5, 405 the property of Zambia Railways Limited.According to Facts on record, Muleya was apprehended when he was found loading the Rail Lines in a Canter Truck around 01hrs.When the matter came up for judgment before Court, Magistrate Phiri found the accused person guilty after she established that he got the Rail Lines fraudulently and with the intention of depriving the owner permanently.The Court said, the accused’s defense was an afterthought, and that could be seen by the fact that he fled the scene when he was approached at the time of taking the Rail Lines.Magistrate Phiri sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment with hard labour but suspended the sentence for 24 months.She further ordered that Muleya be committed to 30 days community service and in default to serve 3 months in jail with hard labour. The Sun