A 24-year-old man of Musele area in Kalumbila district has been convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labour by the Solwezi Magistrate Court after finding him guilty of stealing copper wires.
Vincent Chizhingo, a peasant farmer of Kaseleli village was together with others at large alleged to have stolen 25 pieces of copper wires on 24th February, 2025 valued at K57, 597 the property of FQM Trident Limited.
Chizhingo was found with 7 pieces of copper wires at the time he was arrested by the mine security officers before being handed over to police officers.
Solwezi Principal Resident Magistrate, Mambwe Mukonde, said the state had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt and found Chizhingo guilty of stealing copper wires and convicted him.
“Despite having been found with only seven pieces of copper at the time of your apprehension, you are liable for all the 25 wires as you acted jointly together with others at large. You eluded surveillance cameras at the sentinel pit and attempted to flee before you were caught,” Magistrate Mukonde said.
In mitigation, Chizhingo asked the court for leniency saying his wife and two children would suffer if he is given a custodial sentence.
Magistrate Mukonde however said there are consequences to every negative action and handed Chizhingo a two-year jail term with hard labour saying there was need to punish him as he acted dangerously by putting people’s lives at risk.
“I have noted that you are a first offender deserving of leniency from this court, however the offence of theft is serious and your actions were dangerous and you need to be punished in order to deter others who would want to jeopardise other people’s lives,”
“I hereby sentence you to two years’ imprisonment with hard labour with effect from today. You are informed of your right to appeal, “Magistrate Mukonde said.
