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Three men have been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with hard labour after admitting to breaking into a Chinese businessman’s home in Lusaka and stealing valuables worth more than K3.7 million, including a firearm, ammunition and jewellery.
Fanwell Chatugwa, 45, a driver; Most Siachilende, 36, a Livingstone-based taxi driver; and Benard Ochieng Oganga, 34, a mechanic of Kanyama, were convicted and sentenced by the Lusaka court.
Their co-accused, Brian Mbewe, 38, a businessman of Chawama, denied the charge and will stand trial.
The court heard that the four allegedly acted together on August 21, 2026, when they broke into the home of Chinese businessman Jinhui Qi and stole a safe containing cash in different currencies and various valuables.
The stolen items included cash amounting to K110,000, K950,000, 15,900 Chinese yuan and one million Zimbabwean dollars in old currency.
They also stole a diamond ring, an emerald necklace valued at US$16,000, emerald precious stones worth US$2,800, a pearl necklace valued at US$506 and a TAG Heuer wristwatch worth US$1,800.
Other stolen property included three military knives valued at US$500, an Apple MacBook laptop worth US$1,580, a Glock 17 pistol valued at US$2,800 and 300 rounds of 9mm ammunition worth US$7,800.
The property also included assorted documents, among them a passport, bank cards, contracts and four motor vehicle registration books.
The total value of the stolen property was K3,742,191.75.
The court heard that Mr Qi was away when the break-in occurred and discovered the missing property upon returning home.
He reviewed CCTV footage before reporting the matter to police, who investigated and arrested the accused.
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In mitigation, lawyer James Nyasulu asked the court to exercise leniency, saying the three convicts were first offenders who had readily admitted the charge, thereby saving the court’s time.
He added that they had been in custody since their arrest and had learnt a lesson.
The court, however, observed that housebreaking cases were prevalent and affected many people, making a custodial sentence necessary to deter would-be offenders.
The three were each sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with hard labour, effective from their respective dates of arrest.
Meanwhile, Mbewe denied the charge and was granted bail of K30,000 with two working sureties in like sum. He will remain in custody until he meets the bail conditions.
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