Sinda post officer sentenced two years for theft

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—Katete Magistrate Mary Musongole has sentenced Sinda district Post officer to two years simple imprisonment for theft.


Appearing in the Katete Magistrate today Christine Tembo Kabanda admitted that she stole K12, 819 in order to pay her university fees for her child.


Kabanda was charged with one offence of theft by servant contrary to section 272 and 278 of the penal code and chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.


Particulars of the offence where that between December 20 and January 24, Kabanda being the person employed by Zambia postal services as a postal officer did steal K12, 819, money which came in her possession by virtue of her employment and the property of Zambia postal Services.


It was established that Kabanda came in contact with the said money after her boss Mr. Vincent Muyunda went on leave and left her in charge of the office.


However, when Mr. Munyunda returned from leave Kabanda told her boss that she had lost the keys to the safe where money was kept.


After several failed attempts to prompt her to return the keys Muyunda reported the matter to the provincial headquarters where it was resolved that a spare key be given to auditors who in turn would conduct a check at Sinda post office.


Furthermore facts of the matter reviewed that upon hearing that the auditors had visited the post office Kabanda went into hiding in fear of what she had done.


In mitigation Kabanda told the court that she had worked in the Zambia Postal Services for the past 25 years with  no criminal record and therefore deserved leniency from the court.


She explained that she had a plan of returning the money back in time but added that her brother who promised to help her failed.


She told court that she was a widow, mother of three and also had four dependants at her home.


Magistrate Musongole advised Kabanada that being a widow or mother was not a guarantee to steal.


Meanwhile ,Katete Magistrate Prudence Siluka has convicted  Yelestani Banda for unlawful escape from custody.


It is believed that Yelestani who was sentenced for two years and six months for theft by servant had run away from Msoro open air prison.


Taking plea before Magistrate Siluka , Yelestani admitted the charge but told court that on the material day he did not wake up well and that was what led to the escape

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Magistrate Siluka adjourned the matter to August 26 for presentation of written facts.

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