A 34 year-old businessman of Lusaka’s Garden house has been dragged to court for allegedly stealing over K35,000 realised from the sale of 49 bags of kapenta and beans which were entrusted to him by his business partners.

And the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has granted the accused, Hope Sinkamba, a K10,000 bail with two working sureties in the like sum.

Sinkamba is charged with four counts of theft by agent.

In count one, it is alleged that on May 28, 2018, Sinkamba allegedly stole K8,400 realised from the sale of 12 bags of Kapenta entrusted to him by Victor Siame to sale on his behalf.

In count two, it is alleged that on June 4, 2018, Sinkamba stole K4,500 realised from the sale of Kapenta entrusted to him by Angela Bwalya to sale.

In count three, it is alleged that on May 28, 2018, Sinkamba stole K19, 500 realised from the sale of 25 bags of beans entrusted to him by John Siyanda for sale.

In the fourth count, it is alleged that on April 28, 2018, Sinkamba stole K6,300 realised from the sale of nine bags of beans entrusted to him by Simon Simpasa for sale.

According to the agreement between the Sinkamba and the four complainants, he was supposed to return the monies realised from the sale of the goods to them but he did not.

And when the matter came up for plea before magistrate Nsunge Chanda, Monday, Sinkamba denied the charge.

He immediately applied for bail after pleading not guilty.

The prosecution did not object to the bail application on condition that it ascertains Sinkamba’s house address since he had no fixed abode at the time of his arrest.

Meanwhile, magistrate Chanda granted Sinkamba a K10,000 bail with two working sureties in the like sum.

“I grant you K10, 000 bail. You will be released once you meet the bail conditions,” magistrate Chanda said.

The matter comes up on September 27, 2018 for trial.