VARSITY STUDENT JAILED FOR SHOPLIFTING

…he stole energiser batteries from Shoprite

A STUDENT at Rusangu University has been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for stealing three packs of energiser batteries from Shoprite Mukuba Mall in Kitwe.

Alex Mwansa, 25, of Riverside told the court that his desperation to write and submit his assignments in time drove him to steal the batteries so that he could raise money.

Mwansa, a student teacher at the university, was before Senior Resident Mwansa Chibalo and readily admitted the offence.

"I was desperate because I was behind time with my assignments so I thought that if I get the batteries and sell them off I would raise K150 to quickly send my assignments," he said.

Particulars of the offence are that on November 22, this year Mwansa stole three packs of Energiser Batteries valued at K209.97 from Shoprite Zambia.

On the fateful day, Previous Longwani a security guard was patrolling when she noticed Mwansa getting the batteries and putting them in his pockets.

He then headed for the exit without paying, prompting the guard to stop him.

The security guard then alerted management about the incident and the manager immediately searched Mwansa.

The items were recovered from his pockets and he was taken to Riverside police station.

In mitigation, Mwansa pleaded for a punishment that would not affect his education, stating that he had learned a hard lesson in the six days that he had been in police custody.

The magistrate however sentenced Mwansa to 12 months imprisonment with hard labour effective, November 22 this year.