A 36-year-old man of Kanyama compound who stole five desk top computers valued at K80,200 from Lusaka Central Correctional facility has been sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labour.

Bright Bwalya was facing one count of breaking into the building with intent to commit a felony on September 15, 2017 around 20:00 hours.

Magistrate Felix Kaoma said he was satisfied that the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt as Bwalya, who was in possession of some stolen items a few hours after the break-in, was in the vicinity of the prison where the theft occurred.

Police only managed to recover a CPU, monitor and camera from Chibolya where Bwalya sold the items.

Magistrate Kaoma said considering that Bwalya almost paralysed government offices due to his selfishness, there was need to punish him in order to deter other would be offenders.

He observed that there were too many conflicting statements in Bwalya’s defense.