Despite begging the court not to imprison him since he is father of five children whose children would suffer if jailed, a magistrate imposed a half a year jail term on a security guard who stole gadgets at MUVI Television.
Lusaka magistrate Trevor Kasanda said Kambani Kapila, 42, had to be punished to deter other would-be criminals from committing the predominant crime. To deter would be offenders, “I sentence you to six years imprisonment with hard labor from the date of arrest,” magistrate Kasanda ordered.
The magistrate also noted that considering the manner the convict fearlessly broke and entered the Television station premises, a busy place, Kapila was ready for the consequences of his actions.
This is in a case Kapila was jointly charged with Kabamba Mwape, Kelvin Kambila and Shownlous Mwanza for the offence of breaking into a building with intent to commit a felony. It is alleged that between December 16 and 17, last year, the quartet, with intent to steal, allegedly broke and entered MUVI Television building.
The accused stole four stole five 22-inch concord Television sets, three apple Mac computers, one HP desk top computer, one CPU monitor, a keyboard and one point of sale machine, all valued at K111, 650.
Kapila admitted the charge while the rest pleaded not guilty to the charge. Kapila, 42, a former security guard at MUVI TV, testified how he entered the unlocked main entrance to building.
“I entered MUVI television using the gate which I found open. They don’t lock the main door,” Kapila said.
Trial for the others who pleaded not guilty will start on February 8, 2022.