Inter-denomination Jesus Ministry overseer John Simfukwe yesterday appeared in the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing over K200,000 from a widow whom he promised to buy a house.
Simfukwe, 39, of North Gardens in Lusaka, is charged with theft by agent.
It is alleged that between August 16, 2016 and August 17 this year, Simfukwe stole K260,000 which was entrusted to him by Mildred Chikwato.
Simfukwe was supposed to use the K260,000 to buy a house for 47-year-old Ms Chikwato, who entrusted the pastor with her late husband’s retirement income.
The matter came for allocation yesterday before chief resident magistrate Kenneth Mulife, who allocated the case to magistrate Felix Kaoma.
Magistrate Kaoma is expected to hear the matter on Monday next week.
In another court, a 34-year-old business man of Garden pleaded guilty to stealing a toilet seat cover worth K510.
Enock Chikopela is charged with theft.
It is alleged that on August 31 this year in Lusaka, Chikopela stole a toilet seat cover valued at K510, the property of Broll Zambia Limited.
When the matter came up for plea before magistrate Brian Simachela, Chikopela pleaded guilty to the offence.
“I connived with my friend who unscrewed the cover from the toilet in the shop and gave it to me. I put it in a bag and left,” Chikopela said after the court asked him how he stole the toilet seat cover.
Chikopela told the court that he did not know why he stole the toilet seat cover or what he was going to do with it.
“I have no idea what my colleague wanted to do with it, I just received it from him,” he said.
Mr Simachela entered a guilty plea and adjourned the matter to Thursday next week for written facts and sentencing.
Meanwhile, a 19-year-old tailor appeared in court for allegedly defiling his boss’ six-year-old daughter.
Davie Simpanzye of Kabanana allegedly had unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of 16 on April 20 this year.
Simpanzye was allegedly caught red-handed defiling the child in a shop.
When the matter came up yesterday for trial, a University Teaching Hospital paediatrician said a medical report confirmed that the victim was defiled.
Bupe Musonda, who is also a clinical surgeon, said medical examinations on the child revealed injured genitals.
Magistrate Ireen Wishimanga adjourned the matter to October 3 this year for continued trial.