POLICE have launched a man hunt for unknown people who broke into the court chambers thereby stealing a Samsung television set and a Digital Video Disc (DVD) deck belonging to the magistrate’s court in Nakonde District of Muchinga Province.
Muchinga Province Police Commissioner Joe Njase who confirmed the development in an interview with the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Chinsali yesterday, said the break- in took place between 24th June,2020 at 17:30 hours and 25th June ,2020 around 07:55 hours at Nakonde Magistrate Court in Nakonde District.
“A cellphone call was received from George Banda aged , 40, of Mukoma Village in Chief Waitwika’s chiefdom of District Nakonde also a Resident Magistrate in-charge of Nakonde District Magistrate Court who reported on behalf of the said institution the subject offence of breaking into a building and committing a felony therein,” Eng. Njase said.
The Police commissioner said Magistrate Banda allegedly reported that unknown person (s) broke into his Chambers and stole therein a 40 inches Samsung Plasma TV set black in color valued at K4,500.00 and a Samsung DVD Player also black in colour valued at K 750.00.
The total value of properties stolen is K 5,250.00 adding that entry was gained through the window and the same was used as an exit.
Facts are that Magistrate George Banda, a Resident Magistrate at Nakonde Magistrate Court of Mukoma Village reported off duty at around 17:30 hours on 24th June, 2020 and ensured that the doors and windows to his Chambers were well secured.
According to Commissioner, when magistrate Banda reported for work at around 07:55 hours yesterday, upon entering his chamber, he was shocked to discover that the items were missing as earlier stated.
The magistrate then observed that the suspects gained entry on one of the windows after they forcefully opened it using a hard instrument, saying that burglar bars were also damaged creating a hole.
The matter was then reported to the Police in the area.
“Acting on this report officers rushed to the scene of crime and the findings are as follows: the suspects gained entry on the window behind the Magistrate Court building into the Chambers of Hon Banda and used the same as an exit, officers further observed that a hard instrument was used to force the window open, later, damaged the burglar bars creating a hole,” said Eng Njase.
Eng. Njase said Police officers interviewed John Singoi 45 years old of Katozi Village in Chief Waitwika’s area in District Nakonde, also a security guard, found on duty on the material day.
He said that during the course of the interviews, the guard did not give a satisfactory explanation as to what happened.
Eng. Njase said the guard has since been detained in lawful custody and long warn and caution statement has been recorded from him.
A Docket of case has been opened and arrest made and Investigations are underway.
