The Nchelenge Magistrate court has jailed a 26 year old woman to 30 months simple imprisonment for theft.
Before Resident Magistrate Luckson Mbewe was Carol Matakala who pleaded guilty to six counts of theft contrary to section 272 of the penal code chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
This was in a matter that came up for sentencing before Magistrate Lackson Mbewe.
Brief facts in all six counts are that on 7th February 2023 around 09:30 hours, Memory Musonda of Yenga village was home when she received the accused who asked for a bicycle so that she could take her child to the hospital.The accused was given the bicycle but never returned it.
On the same day around 10:00hours Roydah Mwansa of the same village was home when she received the accused who asked to use her phone .Mwansa gave the accused the phone but never returned it.
On the very day the accused is reported to have gone to Joyce Kalimba of the same village around 10:30 hours and requested to use her Radio Cassette, which she never returned.
Around 11:00 hours the same day,Joyce Kabesa was home when the accused visited her and asked for a phone so that she could call her relatives. Which she never did.
Around 12:00hours,on the same day, Janet Chibwe was home when she received the accused who asked for a phone so that she could use it to call her relatives, the phone which she never returned.
Around 14:00hours the same day,Christine Chilombo was home when the accused requested for a phone so that she could use it. She was given but never returned it.
Police in the area instituted investigations upon receipt of all complaints which led to the arrest of the accused,when interrogated,Matakala admitted having committed the offence adding she sold the items to unknown people
In mitigation, Matakala pleaded with the court to exercise leniency as she had two children to look after.
In sentencing, Resident Magistrate Mbewe informed Matakala that he would exercise leniency as she was a first offender who readily admitted the charge without wasting the courts time.
“I will give you a custodial sentence to help you reform and deter would-be offenders. In count one I sentence you to 30 months simple imprisonment,count two 12 months simple imprisonment,count three twelve months simple imprisonment,count four twelve months simple imprisonment,count five six months simple imprisonment and count six ,six months simple imprisonment “,he said.
He informed Matakala that her sentences will run concurrently with effect from 1st March, 2023.
Iwe magistrate Mbewe. ninatolafye iyi. Its just supposed to be a suspended sentence ala!
It was either that or effing 6 different men to put food on table. That is life under upnd.