The Kabwe Magistrates’ Court adjourned to May 21, 2026, a case in which two youths from John Chinena area in Chibombo District are accused of stealing goods worth over K11,000 from a local businessman.
The accused, a named juvenile and Charles Mumba 21, appeared before Resident Magistrate Catherine Mumba charged with one count of breaking into a building and committing a felony therein, contrary to Section 303 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that on December 23, 2025, in Kabwe District, the two jointly broke into a shop belonging to Ackson Nyimbili with intent to steal.
The items allegedly stolen include five pairs of shorts, eleven T-shirts, five hoodies, six pairs of slides, one pair of clogs, a duvet set, a cellular phone, and K3,228 in cash, altogether valued at K11,505.
When the matter came up for commencement of trial, the prosecution presented three witnesses.
The first witness, Ackson Nyimbili 47, a farmer and owner of the shop, testified that he closed his business around 22:00 hours on December 23, 2025, and left all items secure inside the shop, keeping the keys with him.
He told the court that the following day, he discovered that the shop had been broken into, and cash, clothes, groceries, a travelling bag, and a mobile phone were missing.
Nyimbili further explained that he called a meeting with his workers and advised them not to report the matter immediately or spread the news, fearing it might alert the suspects.
Instead, he asked them to be on the lookout for the stolen items, especially clothing, as the Christmas festivities were approaching.
The second witness, Deliness Chinga 38, Nyimbili’s wife, testified that she received news of the theft while returning from Nakonde, where she had gone to purchase merchandise for the shop.
Upon her return, she informed her husband that some of the stolen clothes had distinctive designs that she could easily identify.
Chinga told the court that on Christmas Day, she spotted the named juvenile wearing a T-shirt she believed had been stolen from their shop.
She immediately informed Only Mwamba, a member of the Community Crime Prevention Unit (CCPU).
She said Mwamba followed the named juvenile to his house, where a search allegedly led to the recovery of more stolen clothes and a cellular phone.
The matter was then reported to Chibombo Police Station.
The third witness, confirmed that he was alerted by Mrs Nyimbili after she identified the T-shirt.
Acting on the information, he and members of the neighbourhood watch apprehended Chambo, who later led them to the second suspect, Mumba.
Mumba, who works as a security guard at a neighbouring shop, was allegedly found wearing a brown jean short identified as part of the stolen items.
Mwamba also told the court that a third suspect, identified only as Nzelu, managed to escape arrest.
The court has since adjourned the matter to May 21, 2026, for continuation of trial. The accused remain in police custody.
