MULENGA MUSONDA writes
A 24-YEAR-OLD Barman of Choma will spend the entire winter in jail without the Puma Blankets he stole to keep him warm.
This was in a matter in which Aaron Chishimba was convicted by the Choma Magistrates Court for the offence of House breaking and theft contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence in this matter were that Chishimba a resident of Shapande Township in Choma broke into Garai Matongo’s house and stole therein 2 Puma Blankets, a Sub Woofer and assorted clothes all valued at K1,500 the property of the named Matongo.
When he appeared for plea before Magistrate MuyambangoMunukayumbwa for plea, the accused person without coercion admitted the charge against him.
Court: Do you understand the charge read to you Sir?
Chishimba: Yes i do.
Court: How do you plead?
Chishimba: I admit that I stole.
Court: Did you break and enter into the complainant’s house?
Chishimba: Yes
Court: What time was it?
Chishimba: It was around 10:00hrs in the morning.
Court: Whilst there did you take the mentioned items?
Chishimba: Yes.
Court: Did the owner allow you?
Chishimba: No
Court: Did you have any claim of right?
Chishimba: No
Court: I record a plea of guilty.
After the Facts were read to him Chishimba admitted that the statement was a true reflection of what transpired.
The Court thus found him guilty in his own admission and convicted him accordingly.
In passing the 9 months sentence with hard labour Magistrate Munukayumbwa said the offence is not just serious but prevalent in the district.
Chishimba was informed of his right to appeal to the High Court within 2 weeks if he felt aggrieved.
