The South African Magistrates’ court has sentenced a Zambian national to 7 years imprisonment for being in possession of a stolen Ford Ranger.

In a statement, Wednesday, first secretary for press and public relations at the Zambian High Commission in South Africa Naomi Nyawali, said Chilala Muyila, 47, a Livingstone-based businessman was sentenced to 7 years by a Laphalale Magistrate in Limpopo district.

“A South African court has sentenced a Zambian national to seven years imprisonment for being in possession of a stolen vehicle. Chilala Muhyila, aged 47 was sentenced by a Laphalale Magistrate court in Limpompo province. Mr. Muhyila, a businessman based in Livingstone, was arrested when he tried to cross Martindrift border into Botswana on his way to Zambia,” Nyawali said.

“The court established that he was guilty of being in possession of a stolen motor vehicle, identified as a Ford Ranger. Mr. Muhyila has since been taken to Modimolle Correctional facility in Limpompo province where he will serve his sentence. He once lived in Kempton Park, Johannesburg before relocating to Livingstone with his family sometime last year.”

And acting high commissioner to South Africa Maynard Misapa has advised Zambian car dealers to engage in clean business when they are in South Africa.

“And Zambia’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa Mr Maynard Misapa who is also Deputy High Commissioner has urged Zambian car dealers to engage in clean businesses. He said there was need for car dealers to ensure that the vehicles they were buying from South Africa were cleared by local authorities. Mr. Misapa said the imprisonment of Mr. Muhyila was unfortunate,” said Nyawali.