MULENGA MUSONDA writes

@SunZambian

The Choma Magistrates Court has jailed a 25 year old bricklayer to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour after he admitted stealing iron bars worth over K11, 000 from a seminary.

Chrispin Chibuye stood charged for theft contrary to section 272 Chapter 87 of the Penal Code of the Laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that on dates unknown but between March and July 7 Chibuye stole 168 square tube iron bars valued at K11, 200. the property of Mukasa Minor Seminary.

Senior public prosecutor Charles Chinzai read the facts and told the court that the school had been experiencing a lot of thefts involving building materials.

He said the school security officer found some of the stolen bars at a local welder’s workshop and when he inquired about how he came into possession of the items he was led to Chibuye who was his supplier.

In mitigation Chibuye begged the court to exercise lenience on him as a first offender.

“I will never commit such an offence again as I don’t know what came into me, I’m also asking for forgiveness from the school,” he said.

Principal Resident Magistrate Exnobert Zulu in passing sentence said he had considered the fact that Chibuye was a first offender who readily admitted the charge thereby not wasting courts time.

 “I will therefore send you to prison for 1 year 6 months with hard labour with effect from July 15,” Magistrate Zulu said