A 29-year – old University of Zambia (UNZA) student has cried for forgiveness in the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court as the court handed him a seven year sentence for stealing computers and other assorted items worth more than K200,000.
Felicious Mukwemba, of Kalingalinga confessed before Lusaka resident magistrate, Amy Masoja that he stole the said from the University’s Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Physics department.
He expressed regret and pleased guilty for breaking in around 23:00 hours and stealing the learning institution’s property.
Mukwemba, between January 24 and 31, 2024 in Lusaka, Mukwemba broke and entered into the University of Zambia’s school of Natural Sciences block and stole therein a. HP laptop, HP desktop, an Apple iPad, two tablets, assorted pens and one laptop bag altogether valued at K106, 950.
He also stole laptops valued at K22,300 under the school of Mathematics.
Furthermore, between March 20 and 21, 2024, Mukwemba entered into the University of Zambia physics department and stole seven computers and one monitor altogether valued at K156,000.
According to evidence adduced by three State witnesses before court, UNZA experienced breaking and theft of desktops, laptops, tablets and monitors with the matter being reported at Chelstone Police station which led to the investigations.
The breakings continued at the University and the security guards were very alert during the period until on the March 27, 2024 the guards apprehended the accused person around 23:00 hours.
Upon his admission of guilt, the court found him guilty and convicted him.
In mitigation, Mukwemba begged the court to have leniency on him that he regrets his action.
He said he was just caught up in the web of wrong things and ended up being in a bad situation.
“I have learnt my lesson and I have changed, if given another chance I will tell others about the bad things of commiting crime. I regret my actions deeply, I will never repeat,” he said.
The court heard his mitigation and observed that the convict was remorseful but the offence he committed was a very serious offence.
“Instead of orchestrating knowledge at the University you were orchestrating computers. The convict is a first offender, I have noted that he is remorseful and regrets his action. However, he stole school computers and the data contained will never be recovered.”
“The school lost information which can never be recovered because of you. I will sentence you to seven years imprisonment with hard labour in count one to four and the sentences to run concurrently, you have 14 days to appeal, the court ruled.
By Lucy Phiri
Kalemba July 31, 2025
