Man jailed for stealing from court

A 41-year-old man of Chipata compound who stole two cellphones and cash worth K18, 526.10 from the Lusaka Magistrates Court complex has been sentenced to nine years imprisonment with hard labour.

This is in a matter Derrick Chipungu is charged with breaking into a building and committing a felony contrary to Section 303 (a) of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia. On January 25, 2019, with intent to steal, Chipungu broke into the new Lusaka Magistrates Court complex building and stole K16, 026 cash, one HTC phone and a Samsung phone all together valued at K18, 526.10 Chipungu plead guilty.

Facts before court are that on the material day, a security guard Tom Banda who works at the court complex was conducting a routine check when he heard a noise at the office of the clerk court.

He went to report the matter at ridgeway police post were he found a Constable Phiri and reported what he had heard. The two rushed back to the complex were the noise was coming from. They discovered a broken lock and saw Chipungu who was hiding under a staircase as he had heard them coming.

The two apprehended the accused and took him to ridgeway police. Upon searching him he was found with cash amounting to K2,562. They later discovered money on the floor, a sharp metal bar, black laptop bag, two cell phones and two pairs of brown shoes a cup lying on the floor. The property was valued at K18, 526 but only recovered K2562 cash.

Chipungu was then charged for the subject offence. Under warn and caution statement he admitted the charge.

In mitigation, Chipungu asked the court for leniency saying “I am on tuberculosis medication, I’am married with three children and looking after my grandmother”.

However Magistrate David Simusamba said: “Considering the nature of the offence and the circumstances in which it was committed, I sentence you to nine years and the money recovered will go to government revenue and the other property recovered be returned to the respective owners”.