A 46-year-old man of Chitambala village in Kapiri Mposhi district has been jailed to three years imprisonment for stealing laboratory equipment valued at over K23,000 from Palamedes Secondary School.
Joseph Simutowe was convicted after pleading guilty to one count of breaking into a building and committing a felony, which is contrary to the laws of Zambia.
Facts before the court are that on March 31,this year, Mr Simutowe did break into the school laboratory with intent to steal and infact did steal two microscopes, two lenses and two micrometer screw gauges, all valued at K23,000.
The matter was reported by Joseph Matengu on behalf of Palamedes Secondary School.
On April 1, 2026, around 10:00 hours, Mr. Matengu reported for work and discovered that the laboratory door had been tampered with.
Upon inspection with other teachers, it was established that several items were missing.
The incident was reported to Kapiri Mposhi Police Station, prompting investigations which led to the arrest of Mr Simutowe.
Police interviewed the now indicted and a warn-and-caution statement administered in Bemba revealed that the accused admitted to committing the said offence.
