A couple from Katondo Compound in Kabwe District, Central Province, has pleaded not guilty to stealing valuables worth over K14,000 from the farmhouse of a 76-year-old woman in Chowa Compound Stage 1, Kabwe.
Proud Phiri and Loveness Chilongano, who served as caretakers of the farm, both charged with one count of theft contrary to section 272 of Penal Code Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that, Phiri and Chilongano between 1st October and 8th November, 2025 in Kabwe District of Central Province jointly and whilst acting together, did steal two inventors, four mattresses, two solar panels and 10 iron sheets.
Other items which are alleged to have been stolen are two empty drums, one wheelbarrow, one bicycle and assorted clothes all valued at K14,600.00 the property of Hellen Silungwe.
And when the matter came up for plea before Kabwe Resident Magistrate Lishaniso Wamundila, the couple said they understood the charge and pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The state called one witness to commence with the trial, Hellen Silungwe 76, of House number 27 Chowa Stage 1, the farm owner, who had engaged the couple as caretakers.
Mrs Silungwe told the court that she contacted the couple she knew from church who agreed that they would be looking after the farm without being paid a salary.
Mrs Silungwe explained that the agreement was that Phiri and the wife would be empowered with some farming inputs and use the farmland to their benefit.
“Your honor I gave them permission to use my cattle for ploughing and benefit from whatever produce they get as long as they look after my farm. I even bought them fertiliser,” Mrs Silungwe said.
She further testified that in November 2024, she hired transport and took the couple to the farm where she showed them the farm and entrusted them with the said properties in the presence of Nachona Nawakwi, her daughter.
She told the court that she only received a phone call from her daughter to the effect that the couple had deserted the farm house and the items in question were missing.
She narrated that only one inventor and one solar panel were recovered after a member of the neighborhood watch managed to locate the couple in Katondo Compound.
Under cross examination, Phiri asked Mrs Silungwe whom she had employed to look after her farm between him and his wife to which she responded that she employed Phiri but Chilongano was involved by virtue of being Phiri’s spouse.
Phiri also asked the complainant if she did not send a member of the neighborhood watch named Mambwe to get the keys from his house in Katondo who went on to open the farm house in their absence to which she responded in the affirmative.
Phiri recounted that he met Mrs Silungwe at United Church of Zambia Church where it was announced that she was looking for a couple to employ as farm caretakers.
“Didn’t you employ me to look after your farm and stayed away for one year now and I am only meeting you in court for the second time,” Phiri asked Mrs Silungwe.
Mrs Silungwe did not object to Phiri’s question but stated that although she never visited the Phiri’s, her daughter Nawakwi did.
Magistrate Wamundila adjourned the matter to February 4, 2026 for a continuation of trial as the state prosecutors were expected to call more witnesses to testify in the matter.
The accused persons remain in police custody.
