FISH AGENT JAILED

CHARLES MUSONDA writes

@SunZambian

THE Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has jailed a man who stole his sister-in-law’s groceries meant to be exchanged with fish to five months simple imprisonment.

Magistrate Victoria Chitulang’oma yesterday jailed Aron Kalenda, 31, after he pleaded guilty to one count of theft by agent.

“I have heard your mitigation and I have taken into account that you are a first offender. I have also taken into account that you have pleaded guilty without wasting the court’s time. I hereby sentence you to five months simple imprisonment with effect from the date of your arrest (August 26, 2019),” Ms. Chitulang’oma said.

Facts before court were that on July 22, 2019 Kalenda’s sister-in-law Agnes Chalwe bought groceries worth K4,000 after which the two travelled together to Mansa to exchange the goods with fish.

However, Ms. Chalwe did not stay in Mansa and returned to Lusaka, leaving Kalenda to do the business alone.

He later phoned and informed her that he had finished his mission and asked for transport fare.

Ms. Chalwe then sent him K400 but she was surprised that he was not coming back to Lusaka despite her sending him transport money.

When she tried to call him Kalenda was not answering her calls after which she reported him to Chilenje Police station.

He was only apprehended on August 26, 2019 and was subsequently charged for the subject offence.

In mitigation the convict told the court that he has a child whom he looks after and that his wife, Ms. Chalwe’s sister, is pregnant.

He also pleaded with the court to give him chance to find money to compensate the complainant.