‘I STOLE WINDOW FRAMES FROM CHURCH TO BUT WHEELCHAIR’

MULENGA MUSONDA writes A 30-YEAR-OLD Bricklayer has been sentenced to 6 months imprisonment for stealing 2 Window Frames from a place of worship whose value is more than K350. In this case Cassius Munsanje of Choma’s Macha area pleaded guilty to one count of Breaking into a Building and committing a felony therein contrary to the Laws of Zambia. Particulars of the offence are that on date unknown but between 1 April and 2 April 2020, Musanje broke into Hamoonde Seventh Day Adventist Church and stole 2 Window Frames valued at K360 the property of the named Congregation. When he appeared for plea before Magistrate MuyambangoMunukayumbwa Thursday morning, he willingly admitted the charge and told the Court that he engaged in such a vice because he wanted to buy his crippled child a Wheelchair. Court: Have you understood the charge read to you? Munsanje: Yes Court: Do you admit or deny? Munsanje: I admit Court: Did you break into Hamoonde SDA Church? Munsanje: Yes Court: Did you take away the Window Frames? Munsanje: Yes Court: Did the owner allow you? Munsanje: No Court: Did you have any claim of right? Munsanje: No Court: What did you intend to do with them? Munsanje: I have a child who does not walk or talk so I wanted to sell the frames, and the proceeds raised used to buy a Wheelchair. Court: Court records a plea of guilty. After the Facts were dictated to him, Munsanje admitted that all what was read to him was true and correct. Magistrate Munukayumbwa thus found the accused guilty in his own admission and convicted him accordingly. In passing the 6 months sentence with hard labour, the Court found it shocking that instead of him approaching the church to help him look after the child, he opted to steal from the place he could have gotten assistance from. The sentence was effective date of arrest and Munsanje was informed of his right to appeal to the High Court within 14 days if he felt aggrieved. The Sun