Judgment in theft case scheduled for September 16

The Chisamba Magistrates’ Court has set September 16, 2026, as judgment day for a 25 year‑old man accused of stealing assorted property valued at 33,000 kwacha from his employer. Moonga Mwendalabi, a caretaker of Chipande Village in Chief Liteta’s area, pleaded not guilty to…

The Chisamba Magistrates’ Court has set September 16, 2026, as judgment day for a 25 year‑old man accused of stealing assorted property valued at 33,000 kwacha from his employer.

Moonga Mwendalabi, a caretaker of Chipande Village in Chief Liteta’s area, pleaded not guilty to one count of theft by servant when he appeared before Resident Magistrate Susan Magalashi.

The offence is contrary to Sections 272 and 278 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that between April 4, 2026, and July 11, 2026, Mr Mwendalabi, being an employee of Ngonga Kayela and acting jointly with other persons unknown, allegedly stole 53 standard poles X 1.8 metres, three rolls of water drip lines, and two car batteries.

Other items allegedly stolen include 4 X 90 kilogram bags of soya beans, 30 X 50 kilogram bags of maize and 3 X 50 kilogram bags of fertilizer, all valued at 33, 000 kwacha belonging to his employer.

When the matter came up for a ruling after four witnesses called by the prosecution testified, Magistrate Magalashi found Mr Mwendalabi with a case to answer and placed him on his defence.

During his defence, Mr Mwendalabi gave sworn testimony but did not call any witness.

In his defence, Mr Mwendalabi maintained his denial, saying he had nothing to do with the alleged theft and that he left everything intact when he left the farm.

Mr Mwendalabi said he was surprised when police officers picked him up and detained him at Kabwata Police Station in Lusaka for several days before transferring him to Chisamba Police Station.

“I don’t know anything since I left everything intact at the farm. And I was very surprised to see police coming to pick me up and detain me at Kabwata Police Station for eight days before transferring me to Chisamba police station,” Mwendalabi said

After hearing his defence, Magistrate Magalashi adjourned the matter to September 16, 2026, for judgment, while Mr Mwendalabi remains in police custody.