CONVICTED MAN CRIES FOR HIS PIGS, NOT WIFE

By MULENGA MUSONDA A 37-year-old  man who was more worried about leaving his 18 pigs than his wife after being convicted for stealing washing powder, will only spend 14 days away from his beloved livestock. Killan Shamalambo in his mitigation before the Choma Magistrates Court expressed worry that no one would look after his 18 pigs if the Court sent him to Jail. This was in a matter he stood charged with Theft contrary section 272 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 to the Laws of Zambia. Particulars of the offence are that Shamalambo on April 27 in Choma jointly and whilst acting with another person unknown stole 2 × 1.5 kg Hand Washing Powder valued at K150 the property of Tafirey Mususa. When he appeared for plea before Senior Resident Magistrate Peter Mungala, Shamalambo understood the charge read to him by the Court through the Interpreter Munika Mwananshiku in Tonga the language he said he understood better. Shamalambo without wasting the Court’s time admitted the charge and pleaded for a non-custodial sentence saying no one will look after his 18 pigs if he was sent to Prison. But after the court explained to him on the mitigatory factors, Shamalambo explained that his wife had just given birth. Magistrate Mungala after considering the value of the things stolen and the fact that they were no aggravating circumstances, he sentenced Shamalambo to 14 Days imprisonment with hard labour.