Kitwe magistrate Kapinda Chipamu has sentenced Patriotic Front Copperbelt vice information and publicity secretary Kelvin Sinywangwe to 9 months imprisonment with hard labour for obtaining money by false pretence.

However, the sentences have been suspended for 12 months.

Sinyangwe, a former Kitwe Mayor, was facing two counts of obtaining money by false pretence when he saved as PF Kamfinsa ward councillor and Kitwe Mayor by pretending that he had plots for sale.

In the first count it is alleged that Sinyangwe on unknown dates but between 1st January 2012 and 22nd February 2016 obtained K11, 000 from Agartha Mulumbwa promising that he would give her a plot when in fact he would not.

In the second count particulars are that Sinyangwe on unknown dates but between 1st January 2012 and 22nd February 2016 obtained K105, 000 from Henry Lungu claiming that he would offer him a plot when in fact he couldn’t.

Sinyangwe has been appearing before a Kitwe magistrate since 2016.

In passing Judgement on Tuesday, magistrate Chipamu said there was enough evidence for both counts and convicted him accordingly.

In the first count, Sinyangwe was sentenced to three months with hard labour, but suspended the sentence for 12 months.

In the second count, he was sentenced to six months with hard labour, but suspended for 12 months.

During mitigation Sinyangwe asked for leniency stating that he was a first offender and was taking care of an extended family.