Lusaka Man, 24, Jailed For Stealing From Anglican Church

THE Lusaka Magistrate’s Court has slapped a 20-month jail term with hard labour on a 24-year-old man for breaking into an Anglican Church and stealing furniture worth K2,000.
This is in a case in which Michael Mbewe, 23, Bupe Kasoma, 24, and Isaac Mukosha, 23, were jointly charged with the theft of 19 chairs from the Anglican Church.

Magistrate Mwaka Mikalile on Monday convicted Mbewe when he readily pleaded guilty, imposed a 20-month jail sentence on Kasoma after finding him guilty and acquitted Mukosha.
Particulars of the offence were that Mbewe, Kasoma and Mukosha on January 18 this year in Lusaka, jointly and whilst acting together, broke into an Anglican Church and stole 19 chairs worth K2,945.
Passing judgment, Mrs Mikalile said she had considered the evidence before her and sentenced Kasoma to 20 months imprisonment with hard labour.
She said the prosecution had failed to prove the case against Mukosha beyond reasonable doubt because the evidence was not corroborating.
“It is unfortunate that you do not even fear to steal from a house of worship, doors of a church are supposed to be left open for anyone to enter, kneel and pray but this is not possible as criminals like you even terrorise the church which is supposed to be a place of safety.
“This is a serious offence which carries a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment, I sentence you to 20 months imprisonment with hard labour from the day of your arrest, if you are not satisfied you can appeal to the High Court within 14 days while I set Mukosha at liberty,” Mrs Mikalile said.
The court heard that on the fateful day, Peter Banda, the caretaker of the church, heard some noise and when he went to check what was happening, he discovered that the lock was damaged and some chairs were missing.
The court heard that the matter was reported to Chunga Police Post where investigations were instituted.
The court heard that police officers apprehended Kasoma at a bar after they found him in possession of one of the stolen chairs and he led them to Mbewe’s house where 11 chairs were recovered.
Mbewe told police officers that Mukosha was also part of his gang that raided the church.

Posted by Editor on April 17, 2014. Filed under CRIME. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry