THE viral trend of not naming children bible names without biblical morals has just been given a boost as 24 year old Mathews will be spending 50 months behind bars for stealing a phone.
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Mathews Mwanza, a general worker from Lusaka’s Chainda area, was convicted of theft from a person for the second time.
It seems his past life of trying to collect tax illegally as a tax collector before becoming Jesus’s disciple in the bible was haunting the young man as he grabbed a phone, K2,011 in cash, a lip balm, and an ATM card, with a total value of K3,817.
It reported that Mwanza asked the lady for money but she could not assist him.
But instead of going to look for help elsewhere, he concocted a plan B and and that was to steal.
Mwanza appeared before Lusaka Magistrate Victoria Mututwa and pleaded guilty to the charge, confessing that he stole the items with the intention of selling them.
The theft incident occurred on February 26, 2025, around 08:00 hours in the Lanchdale area of Lusaka.
The complainant, Memory Ngandwe, was on her way to work when Mwanza approached her, asking for money.
According to court records, Mwanza grabbed the phone from Ngandwe’s hand, which also contained a pouch, lip balm, and a Zanaco ATM card.
Ngandwe reported the theft to Kamanga Police Post and police investigations led to Mwanza’s arrest.
Unfortunately, only the pouch and lip balm, valued at K41, were recovered.
In mitigation, Mwanza told the court that he has a sick mother and a six-month-old child, and asked for leniency.
Magistrate Mututwa, in passing sentence, noted that Mwanza was a repeat offender.
“This offence is not only prevalent but unjustifiable. And what is aggravating is the fact that you were convicted for a similar offence recently,” the Magistrate said.
“This informs the court that you did not actually reform.”
Magistrate Mututwa sentenced Mwanza to 50 months (four years, two months) imprisonment with hard labour, effective from the date of his arrest.
“I hold that this time, as it is a longer stay, you shall actually reform,” she ruled.
By Lucy Phiri
Kalemba May 12, 2025
