Samfya man jailed for fraudulent appropriation of power

Samfya man jailed for fraudulent appropriation of power

Samfya, Sept 9/14, ZANIS—-A Samfya Magistrate Court has sentenced a 52-year-old man to 24 months imprisonment with hard labour for fraudulent appropriation of power contrary to Section 290 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

Before Magistrate Mambwe Kanunka was Henry Chama of Mwamfuli village in Chief Kasoma Bangweulu’s chiefdom in Samfya district in Luapula province.

Facts before the court were that Chama between March 1, 2013 and May 5, 2014, in Samfya jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, did obstruct and divert electricity power by way of illegally by-passing a Zesco prepaid meter number 74000719703 for use of his restaurant.

Chama has never vended electricity power since November, 2013, and Zesco has lost over K1000 from the scam.

In mitigation Chama pleaded for lenience saying he has a wife and children he is taking care of and also asked for forgiveness.

But in passing judgment, Magistrate Kanunka said she was being lenient on the accused by sentencing him to 24 months imprisonment with hard labour when the offence in question carries the maximum of ten years and above for the first offender.