A 22-YEAR-OLD man of Mufulira has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour for setting a house on fire where property worth K200 was destroyed. On April 11, 2018, Wise Mulenga of Mufulira was charged with arson after he willfully set Esnart Katowe’s house on fire, destroying property valued at K200.

Among the properties destroyed were two vegetable racks. He pleaded not guilty to the charge but was convicted by the Mufulira Magistrate Court after trial. As the trial magistrate lacked jurisdiction to impose the 10 years mandatory minimum sentence prescribed for the offence, Mulenga was committed to the Ndola High Court for sentencing.
And when the matter came up before High Court judge Mary Mulanda, the court heard that Mulenga conceded in cross-examination that he was the one who set fire on the property.

Justice Mulanda said she was satisfied that Mulenga was properly convicted by the lower court. She said evidence in the matter also supported the offence of arson. In mitigation, Mulenga asked the court to forgive him for the offence because he regretted his actions.

He also asked the court to consider the fact that he admitted the charge during trial. “I have taken into consideration your mitigation, however, the offence of arson carries a minimum sentence of 10 years. I sentence you to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour,” he said.