Husband murder convict Precious Longwe  has again been sent to jail for four years for stealing K200,000 from BancABC, her former employer. Longwe, 32, of Woodlands Extension, wason Friday  slapped with another jail term after Lusaka magistrate Thandose Chabala found her guilty of theft by servant. On May 25, 2016, Longwe was arrested for stealing K200,000 which police officers who were investigating the murder of her husband, Akakanda Litebele, found in the couple’s bedroom. Longwe, who has been in detention for about two years, was last year sentenced to death by hanging after the Lusaka High Court found her guilty of killing her husband after shooting him several times.

Yesterday, Longwe appeared before magistrate Chabala for sentencing in a matter she was charged with theft by public servant. On May 25, 2016, Longwe stole K200,000 from BancABC, where she was employed as a customer service officer. She was also in charge of depositing money in one of the bank’s automated teller machines (ATM) where money went missing.

Magistrate Chabala said the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Longwe was linked to the theft of the K200,000. “I am satisfied that there is sufficient evidence linking the accused to the stolen money,” she said. Magistrate Chabala said it was a fact that on May 24, 2016, Longwe requested for K400,000 from BancABC management so that she could replenish an ATM.

She said it was also a fact that it was later discovered that there was a shortage of money in the ATM where Longwe loaded some money. Magistrate Chabala said it was true that on May 25, 2016, bundles of money which had a BancABC tag were found at Longwe’s house when police were investigating the killing of her husband. “The prosecution’s evidence linked the K200,000 that was found at the accused’s house to the one that went missing at the bank,” magistrate Chabala said.

She said Longwe’s defence could not stand because the circumstances linking her to the missing money could not be a mere coincidence.
During her defence, Longwe told the court that the money she was accused of stealing was from the loans the couple obtained after they sold two motor vehicles. As magistrate Chabala was concluding her ruling, Longwe, who was clad in a white top and a rosary, stood in readiness for her sentencing.

“I find the accused guilty as charged and convict her accordingly,” magistrate Chabala said. Earlier, Longwe’s lawyer, Osbourne Ngoma, asked the court not to send his client to jail because she was a widow, breadwinner and mother of two. “The stolen money was recovered,” Mr Ngoma said.
The State applied that the recovered money be given back to BancABC to which Mr Ngoma objected on grounds that her client would appeal against the judgement.

But the court ruled that the money be given back to the bank if Longwe does not appeal against the judgement within 14 days