Four Chipata Level One hospital staff jailed three years, with hard labour, for stealing COVID-19 test kits

Four employees of Chipata Level One Hospital in Lusaka have been sentenced to prison for stealing COVID-19 testing kits worth over K2.8 million, a crime the court said compromised public healthcare at a critical time.

The convicts—Judith Dzekedzeke (46), a biomedical technician; Malama Nkhata (44), a driver; Langson Kampango (54), also a biomedical technician; and Hilton Kasanyika (28), a handyman—were found guilty of stealing the essential kits while working at the hospital.

Appearing before Magistrate Anna Holland in the Economic and Financial Crimes Court, they faced two charges: theft by a public servant and theft, both under the Penal Code.

The offences were committed between January 1, 2022, and March 30, 2023.

In her ruling, Magistrate Holland stressed that the convicts had abused their positions for personal gain.

“Public servants are entrusted with the welfare of the people, yet these individuals chose to betray that trust. Their actions not only harmed the government but also the vulnerable patients who relied on these medical supplies,” she stated.

The court established that Dzekedzeke, as a supervisor, requested the supplies, while Nkhata and Kampango handled transportation and logistics.

Kasanyika, though a lower-ranking employee, played a role in the theft.

During mitigation, the convicts pleaded for leniency, citing their status as first-time offenders with families depending on them.

Their defence team urged the court to impose a non-custodial sentence, arguing that they had shown remorse.

However, Magistrate Holland ruled that their crime had caused significant harm to the public and warranted a custodial sentence.

Dzekedzeke, Kampango, and Nkhata were each sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard labour, while Kasanyika, found guilty only on the second count of theft, received a two-year sentence with hard labour.

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