`Sons of the devil` get one-year probation

SEVEN members of the sons of the devil notorious gang have been given 12 months` probation period and a fine of K18 each for idle and disorderly conduct.

The boys had on March 9, this year stormed Bulangililo Primary School where they harassed pupils and other people, thereby disturbing proceedings at the learning institution.

Magistrate Luanga Simposya warned the parents of the boys to ensure that they take their children to school as this would help them to keep away from crime.

The seven boys whose ages range from 14 to 19 years are from Bulangililo and Kwacha East Townships in Kitwe.

Particulars of the offence were that on March 9, this year Joseph Ilunga, 19 and other six boys conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace.

The seven on the material day disrupted peace and the learning process at Bulangililo Primary School where they harassed pupils and passersby.

Ms Simposya ordered that four of the boys be sent back to school and that the probation officer should be producing a report every three months.

Probation officer, Sombo Pasi, recommended that the court should dismiss the charges for three juveniles who are still in school so that they could complete their education.

On the four boys, Ms Pasi said the social welfare would work with their guardians to ensure that they were enrolled back into school to avoid further conflict with the law.

Ms Pasi said the boys have been exposed to the harsh environment of Kamfinsa Correctional Facility and were aware of the consequences of being on conflict with the law.

And the magistrate warned the boys to concentrate on school and not to think that they had gotten way with an offence.

She explained that the offence they had committed was a misdemeanour which carries a one-month maximum jail time or 60 penalty units.

She said she was putting all the seven boys on 12 months’ probation and 60 penalty units or remain in custody.

"Parents, it is your responsibility to take your children to school. School prevents children from committing crime because they are busy, remember an idle mind is the devil's workshop.

“Children need to be busy with school and am therefore ordering you to enrol these boys into school the next academic session, " she said.

Children need to be busy with school and am therefore ordering you to enrol these boys into school the next academic session