Lusaka High Court Judge Sunday Nkonde has narrated to the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court how his money and other items were allegedly stolen from his house by a security guard who was guarding the premises.

Judge Nkonde told the Court that his first suspect was Alfelo Banda, who was guarding the premises, as he was the only one who had seen him as he walked into his house, while holding some money obtained after “a small transaction”.

In this matter, Banda is charged with one count of burglary and theft, but had pleaded not guilty.

Particulars of the offence allege that on July 18, this year in Lusaka, Banda with intent to steal, broke and entered into the dwelling house of Sunday Bwalya Nkonde, and stole from there K20,000 cash, a Judiciary HP laptop Note Book by make valued at K8,000, three wrist watches worth US $2,700, two blue De Channel perfume bottles valued at US $200 and a set of Wahl Deluxe shaving kit valued at K550, all together valued at K55,594, the property of Sunday Bwalya Nkonde.

When the matter came up for trial before Chief Resident Magistrate, Wednesday, Judge Nkonde told the Court that on the material day, he discovered that about K20,000 cash, two shaving machines, three watches, a Judiciary laptop and two bottles of perfumes were missing in his bedroom.

He said he proceeded to inform the property manager about the theft.

Justice Nkonde said his first suspect was the security guard, Banda, who was on the night shift.

He said he suspected Banda because he was the only person who had seen him enter the house with money.

He said after he reported the matter to the police, he went to Banda’s house in Kalingalinga in the company of two police officers.

Judge Nkonde told the Court that he was curious about the new music system and refrigerator, which they found in Banda’s house.

He said as Banda attempted to justify the ownership of the newly-acquired property, he started searching for a receipt in his suitcase where they saw one of the stolen watches, despite the accused trying to push it inside the suitcase.

Judge Nkonde said Banda had told him that he bought the watch from Katondo Street in the Central Business District.

He identified Banda as the person who stole from his house and further identified one of the watches he had stolen, which he said was a rare watch and that he missed it.

Justice Nkonde also identified other items, which he submitted as part of his evidence.

In cross-examination, Banda challenged the complainant to state if the house was broken into but in response, the Judge said no door was broken, but it was clear that a window downstairs was tampered with.

Another witness, Martin Muyombo, a police officer, at Long Acres Police Post testified that on July 19, this year, he received a complaint from Tazza Mwanza of Chalala who is the property manager of Limpo Investment Properties on behalf of Judge Nkonde that the Judge’s house had been broken into and some items were missing together with money.

He said in the company of other officers, he went to visit the scene and when they got there, they found Judge Nkonde at his house.

Muyombo said when Judge Nkonde was interviewed, he suspected that the security guard, who was on the night duty shift, could have broken into the house.

He said Banda, who had already reported for work at 13:00 hours, was picked up and taken his house in Kalingalinga Township where during the search, Justice Nkonde identified one of the watches and a shaving machine.

The arresting officer said Banda was taken to Long Acres Police Post where he was detained.

Muyombo said on July 20, this year, someone informed him that Banda had deposited some money in his Airtel Mobile Money account.

He said the money was about K15,000.

The matter comes up on December 18 for continued trial.