Battery thieves caged

THE Livingstone Magistrate’s court has sentenced two men of Kazungula District to six months imprisonment with hard labour for stealing two truck batteries.

Evaristo Lungu 36, and Muyunda Sianga 22, both of Makalanguzu Township were convicted of them and would spend six months in a correctional facility.

Facts before court are that on February 6, this year, in Kazungula, the duo stole two batteries worth K5,000 belonging to Kelvin Liyamba.

Evidence before Senior Resident Magistrate William Banda is that the duo stole two batteries from a truck registration number HG24ES GP which was parked at Kazungula border post.

Mr Liyamba went to the market and when he returned, he discovered that the batteries on his truck were missing.

He reported the matter to the police who instituted investigations.

The following day, a local businessman Sivula Masangu was at his shop when the duo approached him with a battery for sale.

Mr Masangu negotiated to buy the battery at K250 and paid a down payment of K100, promising to pay the balance later.

On the same day the duo was apprehended and conveyed to the police station.

They were interviewed in relation to the matter, and led the police to the recovery of the battery at Mr Masangu’s shop.

In mitigation, the duo pleaded with the court for leniency saying that they were first offenders.

In sentencing the duo, the magistrate sent the duo to the correctional facility for six months each with hard labour.