Mufulira men caged 10 years for stealing 38 street lights batteries

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Judge Mallet; Hammer
Judge Mallet; Hammer

THE Ndola High Court has sentenced two men of Mufulira to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour for vandalising and stealing 38 batteries of street lights on the Mufulira-Sabina road worth K67, 500
The third convict, who is a juvenile, has been committed to Katombora Reformatory School.
Appearing before Judge Yvonne Chembe, was Shadreck Bwalya, Sunday Mwape and a 17-year-old boy – all of Mufulira, who were jointly charged with vandalism and stealing of batteries used to power solar street lights, a property of Mufulira Municipal Council.
Particulars of the offence are that between February and November 2014, the trio while acting together, vandalised 19 streetlights and stole 38 batteries, which were essential for the provision of light along Mufulira-Sabina road.

 

 

In her judgment, Justice Chembe said that a case was proved against the three beyond reasonable doubt.
“I sentence accused one and two to 10 years imprisonment with hard, and I commit the third accused who is a juvenile offender to Katombora Reformatory School,” she said.
During trial, Brian Museulu testified before the court that he earned his living through battery charging and that Chilufya and the 17-year-old boy took the batteries to him for charging on different dates.
Mr Museulu mentioned that Mwape offered to sale him a battery but that he refused as he suspected it to be stolen property.
He said when council police found the batteries being charged at his premises, he told them who the owners were and the suspects were apprehended and taken to police for investigations.
The three convicts took the police where they had sold the other batteries and 12 were recovered.

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