By Isaac Zulu
A 33-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment with hard labour for threatening violence on a man he accused of having an affair with his girlfriend, using a gun.
Before Kapiri Mposhi magistrate Anorld Kasongamulilo was Mwenya Yambala, a teacher by profession.
It is alleged that on August 18, 2023, Yambala accused Kalunga Kunda of having an affair with his girlfriend and picked a quarrel with him.
Later in the day, Yambala went to Kunda’s home with a pistol and three bullets and threatened to kill him for allegedly flirting with his girlfriend, while pointing a gun at him.
However, some onlookers restrained Yambala who later left Kunda’s residence.
The court heard that after the incident, Kunda reported Yambala to Police for threatening violence on him, saying his life was in danger.
Kunda’s report led to the arrest of Yambala who was subsequently charged with the subject offence contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
At the end of the prosecution case, Yambala was found with a case to answer and subsequently placed on his defence.
In his defence, Yambala refuted allegations that he threatened violence on Kunda using a pistol, saying he had used a word of mouth and that he had carried a firearm because he was going hunting.
But the convict’s father, acknowledged that he had noticed that his gun was missing from his bedroom and at no time did his son ask him for a gun so that he could go hunting.
The father also said after noticing that his pistol was missing, he reported a case of missing firearm to the Police.
He said he only learnt that his son is the one who took the gun after he had been arrested.
In mitigation, Yambala said he stays with his father and a brother who is living with disabilities, saying he was the one helping the brother most of the time.
He asked the court to exercise lenience on him, adding that he is looking after a child that he has with his girlfriend.
Passing judgment, magistrate Kasongamulilo observed that the behaviour that Yambala exhibited was unacceptable and if the court does not mete out a custodial sentence on him, people’s lives would be at risk.
He pointed out that the offence of threatening violence, whether by word of mouth or using a gun attracts a custodial sentence of five years imprisonment with hard labour.
He said he would send Yambala to jail so that he can reflect on his behaviour.
Magistrate Kasongamulilo then sentenced Yambala to 12 months imprisonment with hard labour.
