CHARLES MUSONDA writes
LUSAKA Magistrate Sheila Mweene says theft of motor vehicle side mirrors has become common and inconveniencing and there is need to punish perpetrators through custodial sentences.
Ms. Mweene said this on Monday when she slapped a 10-month jail term on Jackson Gondwe, 21, who pleaded guilty to one count of stealing a Toyota Corolla side mirror worth K250.
She said the vice has become too much and that she has been a victim before. She said there was need to send Gondwe to prison so that his peers who are committing similar offences can learn from his fate.
“I have been a victim of such and you will be punished. You are a young man and you can find something better to do than stealing. You can open a carwash or find a job as a barman. You can even work as a garden boy.
“Because this offence is inconveniencing and irritating, I will send you to jail so that you can reflect on your actions. I therefore sentence you to 10 months imprisonment with hard labour with effect from the date of your arrest,” Ms. Mweene said.
Facts before court were that on January 31, 2019, Gondwe stole the right side mirror from a Toyota Corolla registration number BAD 4018 belonging to Ms. Judith Mwangala Libati of plot number 17 Bwinjimfumu road, Lusaka.
Ms. Libati was away attending a church service when she received a phone call from her neighbour a Mr. Njobvu informing her that he had apprehended a thief whom he caught stealing the side mirror from her car.
The matter was later reported to Lusaka Central police station where Gondwe failed to give a satisfactory answer when he was interviewed by the arresting officer.
Under warn and caution, he gave a free and voluntary answer admitting the charge.
