THE Chama Magistrate Court has sentenced a 35-year-old small-scale farmer to four years imprisonment with hard labour for theft by agent.

Particulars of the offense state that John Mumba on unknown dates between 1 May 2024 and 31 July 2024 at Chama district in Eastern Province, being an agent for Parogate Gunnery Limited, did steal K72,000, which came into his possession by virtue of being an agent of the said organisation.

In his mitigation statement while asking for leniency, the accused told the court he was a first offender, breadwinner, married man and that the wife was heavily pregnant.

Magistrate Elvis Chilufya found John Mumba guilty, and convicted him to four years imprisonment with hard labour.