MUBANGA NONDO – Ndola
TWO men of Ndola have each been sentenced to nine months imprisonment with hard labour by Ndola Magistrate’s Court for being in possession of six 50 kg bags of chicken feed suspected to have been stolen.
Jericho Kunda, 30, and Mabvuto Banda, 34, were jointly charged with one count of failing to account for property.
Magistrate Benny Akende last Thursday convicted the two after they pleaded guilty.
“On your own admission of the offence, I find you guilty as charged and I accordingly convict you as jointly  charged. I sentence each of you to nine months imprisonment with hard labour with effect from the date of your arrest,” Mr Akende said.
The accused on March 4, this year, in Ndola, were found in possession of six 50 kg bags of chicken feed suspected to have to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained.
Facts read in court were that on the material day around 05.00 hours, police officers were on their way to Kitwe to carry out investigations when an oncoming vehicle, a Toyota Corolla registration number ACP 5013 appeared heavily loaded.
The court heard that the officers stopped the vehicle and conducted a search which revealed the vehicle was laden with chicken feed.
The officers interviewed the suspects about the ownership and source of the items but the duo failed to give a reasonable explanation.
The two were then taken to Ndola central police where they admitted the charge.