By Isaac Zulu
Two First National Bank (FNB) Automated Teller Machine (ATM) custodians in Kapiri Mposhi have been sentenced to four years imprisonment for theft of K 392,500 cash money from the ATM safe under their custody.
And a Kapiri Mposhi businessman has pleaded not guilty to stealing K K 975, 720 from an FNB ATM.
This is in the matter in which two FNB ATM custodians and a Kapiri Mposhi businessman are jointly charged with two counts of theft of the money; altogether amounting to K 1,368,220 from an FNB ATM safe.
Before Kapiri Mposhi Magistrate Arnold Kasongamulilo was Kingsley Daka, 30, of Mukobeko Compound in Kabwe and Future Mulenga,38, of Kawama Counpound in Kapiri Mposhi both FNB ATM custodians and Richard Mwewa aka Cassy, 41, of Eastpark Counpound in Kapiri Mposhi, a businessman.
In the first count Daka and Mulenga were jointly charged with one count of theft contrary to section 272 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that Daka and Mulenga on 15 April 2022, jointly and whilst acting together with others unknown stole money from the FNB ATM amounting to K 392,500 the property of FNB, entrusted to them to secure.
When the matter came up for plea both Daka and Mulenga readily pleaded guilty as charged prompting the court to momentarily stand down to allow for preparation of written facts by the prosecution.
Facts in the matter were that on 15 April 2022 the complainant on behalf of FNB, Lweendo Malambo, received a phone call from G4 Security company informing him that money had been stolen from an FNB ATM situated at Total Filling Station in Kapiri Mposhi.
The complainant rushed to the scene in the company of state police and G4 Security Company and discovered that an amount of K 1,368,220 was stolen from the said ATM and the matter was later officially reported to police.
The police launched investigations in the matter which led to the apprehension of the two now convicts after which Mulenga led police to the recovery of K 180,000 cash which he had hidden by burying it in his yard while Daka also led police to the recovery of K 212,500 in Kabwe which he had hidden in a pillar of his house bringing the total to K 392,500.
In passing judgement Magistrate Kasongamulilo observed that the two where ATM custodians who should have worked to protect the property they were entrusted with; adding that an opportunity to work should never be abused to steal from employers.
“I have considered your mitigation and you are first offenders and you both readily pleaded guilty. The plea of guilty is a demonstration that someone is remorseful for what they did and they deserve leniency I sentence you to four years imprisonment with hard labour from date of arrest,” Magistrate Kasongamulilo said.
Magistrate Kasongamulilo further ordered for the returning back of the K 392, 500 recovered money to FNB.
And Magistrate Kasongamulilo has set May 30, 2022 as date for commencement of trial in count two of the matter.
In this count Richard Mwewa, a Kapiri Mposhi businessman and Kinsley Daka, the just convicted FNB ATM custodian have been jointly charged with one count of theft contrary to section 272 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that the duo on 15 April 2022, jointly and whilst acting together with others unknown stole from the FNB ATM in Kapiri Mposhi cash money amounting to K 975, 720 the property of FNB.
The duo entered a plea of not guilty in the count when the matter came up in court today.
Mwewa has since been granted a K 5000 cash bail with two working surities domiciled in Kapiri Mposhi in their own recognizance of K 100,000 each.
“The matter is adjourned. The suspects remain in custody. In the case of A3 (Mwewa) he will remain in custody until he satisfies bail conditions.. he shall remain I custody,” Magistrate Kasongamulilo said.
