A 36 year old man of Pilius Village of Chief Puta’s Chiefdom in Chienge District in Luapula Province has been sentenced to 5 years imprisonment with hard labour for stealing a motorcycle.

Joe Kazali, who appeared before Resident Magistrate Luckson Mbewe for plea at the Nchelenge Magistrate court in Nchelenge district, pleaded guilty to theft of a motorcycle contrary to section 281A (1) (a) of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence were that on March 15, 2023 in Chienge District, Kazali did steal an unregistered motorcycle valued at K18,500, the property of Joseph Mulenga.

State Prosecutor Kennedy Chimbali informed the court that on the material day, Kazali approached Mulenga to borrow his motorcycle, which the victim willingly gave him and went away promising to come back the same day but never returned it.

The court further heard that Mulenga reported the matter to police after a week and investigations were instituted which led to the apprehension of the accused and discovery of the motorcycle in Mporokoso, which was sold at K12,500.

The accused was letter apprehended and charged for the subject offence.

When asked if the facts were true and correct, Kazali responded in the affirmative.

In mitigation, Kazali pleaded with the court for leniency.

In passing the sentence, Magistrate Mbewe said he was going to sentence Kazali accordingly as such offences are prevalent in the district and also to deter him from committing the same crime.

He then sentenced Kazali to 60 months imprisonment with hard labour with effect from March 21, 2024.