Corpun file 24787 at www.corpun.com

Daily News, Dar es Salaam, 1 October 2013

Two jailed over theft of 26m/- TTCL items

By Peti Siyame in Sumbawanga

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THE Sumbawanga District Magistrate's Court has sentenced two residents from Mkima village, Emmanuel Usambo (27) and David Emmanuel alias Mwaipopo (32), to 15 years in jail each for stealing items worth over 26m/-, the property of Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL).

The court also ordered each of the convicts to receive 12 strokes of the cane, six as soon as they begin serving their sentence, while the rest will be administered at the day they complete the jail term.

Likewise, the Magistrate, Mr Adam Mwanjokolo, ordered the convicts to refund 26,050,000/- to TTCL, being the value of the stolen items, once they finish their imprisonment. Passing sentence, the magistrate said the court was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the accused had committed the crime.

"The prosecution side has proved its case against the accused beyond reasonable doubt -- therefore I sentence each one of you to serve 15 years in jail. I pass this severe sentence so it will serve as a lesson not only to you but also to others.

"Also, you will be caned 12 strokes, six once you start serving your jail sentence and the rest immediately after completing the jail sentence and pay back 26,050,000/- to TTCL once you accomplish serving your imprisonment," added Mr Mwanjolo.

Prosecuting earlier, Inspector of Police, Mr Thomas Kilakoi, had charged before the court that the accused committed the crime at night in Mkima village, in Sumbawanga municipality, when they jointly broke into a store and stole eight solar panels valued at 24m/- and its nine cables worth 2,050,000/-.

"Although the accused had no previous criminal record yet I pray that the court pass a severe punishment that will serve as a lesson to others who have similar habits," the prosecutor said.

The prosecution side produced five witnesses to substantiate its case before the court while the defence side had none because they were not present into [sic] court room while the trial magistrate was reading the judgment because they had earlier jumped bail. The magistrate ordered the re-arrest of the convicts so they could serve their sentences.