A 49- year -old Head Teacher of Maina Soko primary school in Chililabombwe has found herself legal mortar after Lusaka senior resident magistrate, Trevor Kasanda sentenced her to two years simple imprisonment for stealing 12, 000 bags of cement worth over K2 million.
Violet Sukumuna pleaded not guilty to theft by agent contrary to section 280 (a) of the penal code chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Sukumuna stole 12,000x50kg bags of cement valued at K2,340,000-00 which was entrusted to her by Alletta Magrieta Rika to sell on her behalf to Katanga MAFRA Mine limited in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and retain the proceed therefore.
However, Sukumuna did not return the proceeds, she instead decided to disappear in thin air until she was drawn out by the police.
The said incident happened on unknown dates but between March 1 and 16, 2020 in Lusaka.
Magistrate Kasanda found her guilty of the offence of theft by agent and convicted her.
In mitigation, the convict pleaded for leniency that she was a first offender and a civil servant who might lose her job if given a custodial sentence.
She said she was a mother and a widow, and no one will take care of her children if convicted.
But magistrate Kasanda in rendering sentence said such cases have become rampant and to deter would be offenders she needed to be punished.
“I have heard your mitigation and I note that you are a first offender who deserves leniency, but such cases have become rampant, to deter would be offenders, i sentence you to 24 months simple imprisonment,” ruled magistrate Kasanda.
By Lucy Phiri
Kalemba August 2, 2025
