Wheelbarrow boy’s mate in court for stealing client’s luggage

JOHN KOMBE writes 29-year-old man of Chongwe is being tried in Chongwe magistrate court for stealing a bag of assorted market merchandise. Felix Zimba, 29 appeared for trial before magistrate Marjory Saasa. He is charged with theft contrary to Section 272, Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia. Particulars of the matter are that on August 6th 2020 the accused person did steal a bag of assorted stock. The merchandise in the sack was valued at K1, 100.00. The court heard that a female client, only identified as Rhoda left a 50 kg sack of assorted stock in the hands of a wheelbarrow boy, Simon Phiri at the Chongwe main bus station. She left the sack aftershe came from orders in Lusaka. The sack was to be delivered to her market stand at Chongwe main market. Simon testified that he left the bag next to his wheelbarrow as he went to check on another client who was on the same bus with Rhoda. He said that he discovered that the sack was missing when he came back after about 10 minutes. He told the court that he then started searching for the bag and was only told by a booth attendant at the station that it was theaccused who picked the bag. He told the court that the merchandise was not recovered even after the accused was arrested.In cross examination the accused asked a witness whether she was sure that it was him who stole the bag. The witness insisted that she was very sure of her claim because the accused was usually at the station and she could not mistake him for another person. The matter was adjourned to September 10th for mention and September 14th for continued trial. The accused is remanded in custody awaiting appearance in court on the stated dates. The Sun