The Chisamba Magistrate Court has sentenced a 26-year-old man of Lusaka to five years imprisonment with hard labour in connection with the theft of a motorbike valued at K29, 500.
Chisamba Resident Magistrate, Susan Magalashi, has convicted and sentenced James Sayi, a resident of Lusaka’s Kanyama Compound to prison after he pleaded guilty to a charge contrary to Section 281 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
However, Sayi pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of stealing a pair of slippers valued at K95, contrary to Section 272 of the Penal Code.
That it is alleged in count one that between June 13, 2026 and June 14, 2026, in Chisamba District, Sayi whilst acting together with another person unknown stole one unregistered motorcycle, namely Sinory Rider valued at K29,500, the property of Clive Milambo.
Count two alleges that on the same day, Sayi stole a pair of slippers valued at K95, the property of Esther Mwansa.
Following investigations, officers at the Chisamba Turn off Police Post apprehended Sayi.
He subsequently led police to Mumbwa, where the stolen motorbike was recovered from Sylvester Muchaba, to whom Sayi had sold it for K8, 500.
“On 13th June, 2026, Clive Milambo, parked his motorbike within his yard before retiring to bed. To his surprise when he woke up the following morning at around 05:00hrs, he did not find the motorbike and reported the matter to Chisamba Turn off Police Post,” facts read in part.
Prosecutors told the court that Muchaba partially paid Sayi K4, 200, leaving an outstanding balance of K4, 300.
Police formally arrested and charged the accused for the subject offense on June 19, 2026, after he admitted to the charge during a warn and caution conducted in Nyanja.
Following a guilty plea and admission of the charge, Magistrate Magalashi found the accused guilty and convicted him accordingly.
Sayi pleaded for leniency, citing his responsibilities as a married man who was nursing a sick wife.
“I have taken into consideration you are a first offender who has readily admitted the charge under count one. However, the offence you committed has a minimum sentence of 5-years, because it is a very serious offence,” Magistrate Magalashi said.
Magistrate Magalashi sentenced the convict to five years imprisonment with hard labour, backdated to his formal arrest on June 19, 2026.
She then adjourned the second count of the trial to July 9, 2026.
