By SYLVIA MWEETWA –
A CONVICT who escaped from prison and later broke into a Kapiri Mposhi magistrate’s court and other buildings, has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour.
The courts also sentenced seven other suspects to eight, five, three, and two years, as well as 18 months imprisonment respectively, while five others pleaded not guilty to burglary and theft.
Francis Kalunga, who was jointly charged with Ronald Katongo, between February and April this year, broken into the court and other buildings and stole valuable goods.
The two were facing break in and burglary and theft charges in which they and six others pleaded guilty to the charges when they appeared before Senior Kapiri Mposhi magistrate Akson Mumba and in two other courts, while five others denied the charge.
When the case came up for taking of plea, Kalunga admitted the charge and the court sentenced him to five years imprisonment in all four counts.
Kalunga escaped from Kalonga Prison in February 2012 and was sentenced together with Katongo who got eight years after admitting to having broken into the court, guesthouse and a house, where they got away with a photocopying machine, fridge and other goods.
The Kapiri courts also sent to prison Kennedy Lukama for 12 and a half years, Dominic Chibuye-three, Isaac Nyirongo, five, Sylvester Sinkala, two, Beatrice Mutepuka 18 months and Emmanuel Mulenga six months.
The three courts later set another date as trial for five others namely, Hatembo Malambo, Alex Lukama, Rodgers Kunda, Lynn Phiri and Francis Lukama facing break in, burglary and theft after they pleaded not guilty.
On April 29, this year police arrested the 13 for allegedly breaking into houses, churches and courts stealing various variables.
Deputy Police chief Edwin Bwanga said police during the operation recovered offensive weapons suspected to have been used during the raid.
Among the goods recovered were 12 machetes, six car batteries, nine blankets, three bicycles, eight speakers,10 duvet covers, 100 plates, three fridges, dining chair sets, a laptop, photocopier machine and radios from Kapiri’s Zambia Township.
