The Kasama Magistrate Court has sentenced an 18-year-old man of Kalafya area in Chief Mwamba area in Kasama district to five months imprisonment with hard labour for stealing five boxes of tomatoes.
Before Senior Resident Magistrate, Willie Banda, was Bright Mwamba, who was facing one count of theft contrary to sections 301(b) and 272 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
During the presentation of facts, Senior Public Prosecutor, Aaron Kuyeli, told the court that on January 10, 2026, around 10:30 hours, the complainant, Boyd Bwalya, a farmer and resident of Malama Compound in Kasama, lost five boxes of tomatoes.
Mr Kuyeli said the complainant reported the matter to Kasama Police Station and valued the stolen property at K2, 500.
He said the now convict was identified as the prime suspect, adding that he pleaded guilty to the charge.
In mitigation, Mwamba pleaded for leniency, saying he had learnt his lesson during the time he spent in custody.
He further acknowledged that he had gone against the laws of Zambia and promised not to repeat the offence.
In passing sentence, Magistrate Banda said he had considered the mitigation and the fact that the convict was a first offender.
He however noted that theft is a serious offence which carries a maximum penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment.
The court subsequently sentenced Mwamba to five months imprisonment with hard labour.
