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Blind Man Jailed For Swindling GBM, Given Lubinda And Stealing Over K18, 000
A Lusaka visually-impaired business executive has been jailed two years for hacking into more than seven politicians’ mobile phones and stealing talk-time worth more than K18, 000.
Jairos Tembo, 25 of Kanyama Township, a losing Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) candidate in the 2011 general elections, was found guilty on six counts and given 24 months for each count after being convicted in April.
Principal magistrate Aridah Chuulu said, however, that he would only serve two years because the sentences would run concurrently.
Tembo, who gave his particulars as being a journalist and business executive, was charged with unauthorised access to data and theft of talk-time from several politicians and a business executive, owner of Muvi Television, Steve Nyirenda who is his cousin.
Among the politicians, who fell victim to Tembo’s dubious and fraudulent deeds were Commerce Minister Robert Sichinga, former Defence minister Geoffrey Mwamba, Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda, Willie Nsanda, Michael Mabenga, Mike Mulongoti and retired politician Vernon Mwaanga.
Tembo, of House Number 230 Old Kanyama Township, committed the offences between December and July 18, 2012.
Ms Chuulu said in her judgment delivered on Wednesday that although she had taken into consideration the challenges Tembo was facing in prison as a visually-impaired person, she was sending him to jail because the offence he committed was serious.
She said the offence of hacking into people’s mobile phones and stealing their talk-time was serious and that members of the public could not be served with that kind of behaviour.
Ms Chuulu said she was alive to the fact that Tembo was already serving another sentence slapped on him by another court which he has since appealed against.
Tembo later thanked the court for the effort it made to bring witnesses to court to testify on his behaviour.
He, however, blamed investigating officers whom he accused of not thoroughly investigating the case.
Tembo said if only the officers had investigated the case properly, he would have been acquitted of the offences.
He said he would appeal to the High Court against both the conviction and sentence after holding a Press conference from prison.
Posted by Kunda
on June 20, 2014. Filed under LATEST NEWS.
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mj banda
June 21, 2014 at 12:31 am
So even the blind can be thieves, news to me. If true this guy is entering guenese book of record
Manhimself
June 21, 2014 at 8:12 am
This is encouraging,if a blind man can steal more than k18,000 through dubious means,what more of those who have their two eyes and have all the opportunity to do it?
Kamushi
June 21, 2014 at 9:16 am
arrest thoz dull MPs who wer swindled, but u shud also see the need 2 include blind pipo in govnmnt mek use of such rare skills
Tribalist
June 21, 2014 at 10:05 am
True, this Man has a very rare skill that must be used surely.
Chief of Grief
June 21, 2014 at 10:28 am
Such hackers in the states ‘re trophes.Use his talents chapwa!!
ONE Top!
June 21, 2014 at 1:51 pm
Thise blind man has showed xtraordinarry skills awe tefintu mwe
angoni chaiwo
June 21, 2014 at 4:15 pm
he’s truly a wise man from east. Why did this magistrate not give him a suspended sentence; and let him teach our dull it specialists the art. I remember that some a zungus who used to steal cash from client who have atm cards were slapped with a custodial sentence like atembo. We should have allowed our so called specialistsIT from different banks to learn how these azungu were stealing so that our banks can put up some security. Keeping such people in our jails may not be helpful.