Battery thief gets two-year jail term

MULENGA MUSONDA writes @SunZambian A 32-YEAR-OLD who stole two car batteries from Choma General Hospital has been slapped with a two-year jail sentence. Passing sentence, Principal Resident Magistrate Idah Mupemo found it incumbent that Hastings Mwaanga sees the walls of a prison cell for his inconsiderate and criminal behaviour of stealing from a health institution that benefits everyone. Mwaanga was charged with one count of theft contrary to the Laws of Zambia. Particulars of the offence are that Mwaanga with another unidentified person stole two motor vehicle batteries valued at K6, 000, the property of Choma General Hospital. The theft happened on February 7, 2021 around 02:00 hours in Choma. When he appeared for plea before Magistrate Mupemo, Mwaanga without coercion admitted the charge against him and begged the court for lenience saying his son had just passed to go to Grade 8 and he was under enormous pressure. According to the facts presented by Public Prosecutor Pearson Chilumbu, Mwaanga was apprehended around 02:00 after he was spotted under a hospital truck by some employees. Despite being a first offender and pleading guilty to the offence, Magistrate Mupemo in sentencing Mwaanga said his behaviour of stealing from a health facility that benefits everyone was an indication that he was a misfit in society. She sentenced him to 24 months imprisonment with hard labour effective February 7, 2021 when he was arrested.