The Nchelenge Magistrate Court has sentenced a 19-year-old man to three years in prison with hard labor for stealing a pair of trousers valued at K20.
Gift Changi, a resident of Luswili village in Chieftainess Kanyembo’s jurisdiction, faced charges of theft under Zambian law.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that on October 18, 2018, Changi took a pair of pants belonging to his mother, Florence Bwalya, which were worth K20. When questioned by Magistrate Emmanuel Mukoma about his motive for stealing his mother’s clothing, Changi stated that he intended to use them in rituals to gain money.
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In his defense, Changi pleaded for leniency, citing that he was a first-time offender and assured the court that he would not commit such an act again.
Magistrate Mukoma responded by emphasizing that it is taboo for a young person to handle or even see their parents’ undergarments. He expressed concern over Changi’s mindset, suggesting that he might resort to extreme measures, such as harming his own mother, in pursuit of wealth.
To serve as a deterrent to others, the magistrate imposed a sentence of three years in prison with hard labor, effective from the date of Changi’s arrest.
