JOSSY CHAIMA writes
@SunZambian
A Pastor and a businessman have been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment with hard labor for being in possession of a fake $100.
The sentence was however suspended for 24 months.
Bindu Chizongo 41, a pastor and Happy Chishimba, 57, a businessman, were convicted by Kitwe Principal Resident Magistrate Chongo Musonda.
It was alleged the two, on February 23 this year, in Kitwe, had in their possession a fake $100, while knowing that the same was forged.
The court heard that a Drug Enforcement Commission officer intercepted the two in Chamboli Township after he received a report that there were people with counterfeit notes.
The officer apprehended the two suspects after he recovered a fake $100 after searching them.
But in mitigation, Pastor Chizongo said he regretted being involved in a crime of that nature because it was a wrong thing to do.
He pleaded for leniency saying he was a family man and a breadwinner.
And Chishimba also begged the court to be lenient with him as he was a father and taking care of his aged father.
The Magistrate said the fact that the two were first offenders who had readily pleaded guilty, he would sentence them to 12 months imprisonment and suspended it two 24 months.
