By SYLVIA MWEETWA –
A THIRTY-YEAR-OLD Kabwe-based police constable has been convicted and sentenced to nine months imprisonment after the court found him guilty of absconding from work for more than 40 days.
The sentence has, however, been suspended to 12 months.
Raphael Chibwe of Kabwe’s Bwacha police station, who was appearing before the Kabwe magistrate’s court was facing one count of desertion, contrary to section 26 (1) (d)(2) and 93) of the Police Act Cap 107.
As at March 5, 2015, while being employed as a police officer, Chibwe failed to report for work and without getting permission from superiors for 41 days.
State Prosecutor Fortune Kalima said efforts to establish his whereabouts failed to bear fruit forcing the officer –In-charge at Bwacha police station to inform the commissioner of police and later a docket was opened against him.
The convict was later arrested and charged for desertion, a charge he pleaded guilty to.
In passing sentence, magistrate Chimuka Mutafela sentenced him to nine months imprisonment with hard labour but suspended for 12 months.
The court further said it was up to the employer to take further disciplinary action or not against Chibwe.
Earlier, Chibwe pleaded for leniency, saying he did not know what he was doing.
