‘I steal for my survival’

A KITWE resident has told a Magistrate’s Court that he steals from houses to realise money for his livelihood.

Arnold Ng’ona, 35, of New Ndeke Compound said this when he appeared before Kitwe Chief Resident Magistrate Yvonne Nalomba for a series of house-breaking and theft cases in which he targets television sets and other household goods. Ng’ona admitted three counts of house breaking and theft of household goods from three houses on different dates this year and that from each house he went away with a television set and other fast-selling items. He admitted that on April 1 he broke into Grace Kunda’s house and got away with one television set, three pairs of shoes, one laptop bag, two phone chargers, one calculator and one adapter all valued at K5,675. He engaged in the second house-breaking on September 1, at Cheba Kateule’s residence where he stole a television set yet again and one computer valued at K5, 100. On the 14th of the same month, Ng’ona was at it again and broke into the house of Maybin Mwansa where he made off with another television set and one computer both valued at K13, 550. In each of the three houses, Ng’ona did not spare television sets and other electronic gadgets. Ng’ona told the court that he carried out his stealing escapades alone and sold the booty for his survival. At this point, Ms Nalomba adjourned the matter to a later date for presentation of written facts and sentencing.