FORMER UNZA STUDENT JAILED FOR STEALING COMPUTERS
FORMER UNZA STUDENT JAILED FOR STEALING COMPUTERS
A former University of Zambia (UNZA) student has been sentenced to three months’ imprisonment for stealing 16 computers and accessories worth K68,000 from the higher institution of learning.
Heniric Chisenga, 30, claimed that he wanted to install anti-virus in the computers and also use them for his project.
The convict was charged with breaking into a building and committing a felony, an offence he denied committing. On August 18, 2023, Chisenga broke and entered into UNZA computer laboratory and stole 16 computers with their accessories worth K68,075.
During trial before Lusaka magistrate Mutinta Mwenya, detective sergeant Rose Chulu, based at Chelston Police Station, narrated that Chisenga used one of the keys to enter the Agriculture Department laboratory.
The witness narrated that a check in the log book showed that Chisenga had not returned the key.
She narrated that Chisenga was later apprehended the same day around 20:00 hours by police officers stationed at UNZA.
“He claimed he never stole the computers but that he had a project with an NGO (non-governmental organisation) and needed to use the computers.
“Asked why he never alerted the school, he claimed he was a well-known person and always in the room where the computers were stolen. It was later established that he was no longer a student at UNZA, but an ex-student of agriculture,” Ms Chulu said.
She said Chisenga later led an investigations officer to the Veterinary hostel common room where he had covered the computers on a bunk bed. Ms Chulu said 15 computers were recovered and Chisenga was later warned and cautioned.
In ruling, magistrate Mwenya found that there was corroborative evidence indicating that Chisenga broke into the laboratory and stole the computers.
ZDM