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Man avoids prison sentence for 'borrowing' bike
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A 22-year-old Zambian man, Sure Munengo, narrowly avoided a custodial sentence after receiving a wholly suspended one-month prison term for using a bicycle without the owner's consent. Munengo, from Mwemba district in Zambia, appeared before Magistrate Fungai Dzimiri facing a charge of "unauthorized borrowing or use of property."
The court heard that on 19 April, at around 11:00 am, Munengo unlawfully entered the Kulima Irrigation Scheme in Msuna by jumping over the diamond security fence. Once inside, he took a black Buffalo bicycle that was parked there and began cycling it around a nearby tree.
After briefly riding the bike, Munengo left it inside the irrigation area and walked toward the Zambezi River. He later returned to the bicycle for a second time. His actions were noticed by the bicycle's owner, Bornface Sibanda, 57, of Dambwamukulu Village in Msuna, Hwange, along with Oliver Nyoni, both of whom were working inside the irrigation scheme.
Sibanda called out to Munengo, who complied and approached him. When questioned about using the bicycle without permission, Munengo failed to provide a satisfactory explanation. As a result, Sibanda reported the incident to the police.
The bicycle, valued at $200, was recovered. Magistrate Dzimiri sentenced Munengo to a one-month prison term, which was wholly suspended, sparing him from immediate imprisonment.
The court heard that on 19 April, at around 11:00 am, Munengo unlawfully entered the Kulima Irrigation Scheme in Msuna by jumping over the diamond security fence. Once inside, he took a black Buffalo bicycle that was parked there and began cycling it around a nearby tree.
After briefly riding the bike, Munengo left it inside the irrigation area and walked toward the Zambezi River. He later returned to the bicycle for a second time. His actions were noticed by the bicycle's owner, Bornface Sibanda, 57, of Dambwamukulu Village in Msuna, Hwange, along with Oliver Nyoni, both of whom were working inside the irrigation scheme.
Sibanda called out to Munengo, who complied and approached him. When questioned about using the bicycle without permission, Munengo failed to provide a satisfactory explanation. As a result, Sibanda reported the incident to the police.
The bicycle, valued at $200, was recovered. Magistrate Dzimiri sentenced Munengo to a one-month prison term, which was wholly suspended, sparing him from immediate imprisonment.
Source - the chronicle
