A Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock driver this morning pleaded with Lusaka Magistrate to have his K5 million cash bail amount reduced stating that his salary is not even half the amount the court was demanding for.
Abel Sakati Phiri 34, of Lusaka’s Chilenji Township who appeared at the Lusaka magistrate court today pleaded not guilty before Lusaka magistrate Maxwell Mwale for an offence of motor vehicle theft.
Particulars of the offence are that on October 31, this year Phiri jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown stole one motor vehicle namely Toyota Land Cruiser registration number GRZ 682CF, white in colour and valued at K321 million.The vehicle was the property of the government.
It is alleged that Phiri being a driver of the said vehicle at the ministry of Agriculture and Livestock stole the vehicle as it went missing at a time when he packed it at his house.
Phiri is charged with one count of motor vehicle theft contrary to section 281 (a) of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
After taking plea, Phiri told court that he was asking for a bail adding that he was keeping five orphans and his mother.Phiri said his family has been subjected to untold suffering since he was arrested because they have no one else to find food for them.[pullquote]It is alleged that Phiri being a driver of the said vehicle at the ministry of Agriculture and Livestock stole the vehicle as it went missing at a time when he packed it at his house.[/pullquote]
However Magistrate Mwale reminded Phiri that it was not the responsibility of the court to weigh and distinguish how much someone can afford to pay adding that the law is clear on conditions of a bail.
Magistrate Mwale further told Phiri that his bail will only be given upon making full payment of the cash bail with two working sureties who should be in well recognised institutions.
Phiri was almost breaking down begged with the court adding that it was not easy for him to find the money because he was the one the family depended on.
Despite the several attempts to convince the magistrate to reduce the cash bail by Phiri, magistrate Mwale further set November 22 for a mention and December 2 for commencement of trial in the matter.
I thought motor vehicle theft was not a bailable offence??? Or is it another PF pinhead reversal? How can you reverse the policy of motor vehicle theft being non-bailable offence, and yet keep the public disorder act???
Youre an I.diot. Dont just wright. You fool if you dont know anything about Zambia S.tupid
This whole motor vehicle theft Law is a total sham coined by the late Chiluba to fix opponents.Why is LAZ,or our policy makers not changing this vindictive law. and this particular case all the driver did was park the car at his house and it was stolen.So for that he goes to jail and leaving his family to languish.such things make my blood boil.The real thieves are wearing suits and attending cabinet meetings or state functions while poor civil servants are being sent to jail for crimes they didn’t commit or if they did very petty ones.
Aquit this phiri, easterners dont steal. Only pipo from muchinga province or let me say Northerners bamulya bakolwe daily
RB reversed it.Move with time people.
Is parking a GRZ vehicle at your own house a crime.Some one to answer me.
Too bad ba Phiri.How can u steal public property like that.
if u can let the likes of Kapoko go free, then let this poor man go. “there is no justice for the poor in zed”
You guys Just yap all time. The law does not allow a driver to pack a GRZ vehicle at his house. Further the law does not allow a driver to go with a GRZ to his home, he has to park it at workplace. Dont just yap like a headless chicken…shaaa.
Peace and Prosperity to Mother Zambia.
hahahaha, I can just see the phiri chap in court saying…’ba jugde pulizeee napapatata munikululukile neo, ni nalakwa buti bana kunyumba ba zafa na njala’ You get what you deserve. Make full payment of the cash bail with two working sureties who should be in well recognised institutions…failure to which, you will remain in ngende. Foolish easterner!
No comment!!1
Easterners are becoming more sophisticated day by day.. Iwe chi Phiri didn’t know that theft is a crime. Nzelu monga akulu mpuno ba ala beee.
ati “Iwe chi Phiri didn’t know that theft is a crime.” @11 Mwanamfumu….you’ve made me laugh so hard, I spilt my coffee…barely missed the keyboard. Yaba, good day buddy!
Of all places a driver decides to park a GRZ vehicle at home in Chilenje knowing very well that he is supposed to at least park at the Police Station if not at the office. A Landcruiser for that matter is a hot cake for thieves and I doubt if it was mere coincidence that the very day he went home with the cruiser is the day it got stolen. Not plausable enough and his defence will not be easy. Possible solution is to make him pay back in full the value of the vehicle but how? Ifyakuifwaila kwena.
IF CHILUBA WAS ACQUITTED,KAPOKO ACQUITTED WHY CANT YOU ACQUIT A POOR MAN.IS IT A CASE TO BE POOR.IF PHIRI HAD STLOEN ALL THE AVAILABLE GVT VEHICLES HE WOULD HAVE BEEN ACQUITTED
He did not steal, acquit him ,mwe bantu  we have people who are stealing daylight and are not being prosecuted,why crucify Phiri.
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