Angolan fined for buying stolen computer screens

AN Angolan national, who was one of a group of suspects arrested a month ago when the Police swooped on a house in Windhoek North where a hoard of stolen computer equipment was found, has paid a fine of N$10 000 after pleading guilty to a charge of receiving stolen property.

Deus Deu Wa Kalombo was sentenced to pay a fine of N$10 000 or go to prison for two years at the end of his trial in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Thursday last week.Kalombo (41) has paid the fine, his lawyer, Christian Nambahu, said yesterday.Kalombo was arrested on October 6, after the Police recovered stolen computer equipment at a house in Windhoek North. The Police reported at the time that the equipment had been wrapped and packed and was apparently ready to be transported to Angola.Kalombo admitted to Magistrate Duard Kesslau last week that he was guilty of receiving stolen property.In a plea explanation he related that he had travelled to Namibia to buy goods that he was planning to sell for a profit in Angola.At a bed and breakfast where he was staying in Windhoek North he met a person by the name Pablo, who told him that through a contact of his he could arrange electronic equipment that Kalombo could then buy.The next day, which was October 6, Pablo arrived at the bed and breakfast with 13 flat screen computer monitors which he then offered to him for sale at a price of N$7 500, Kalombo stated.He claimed that when he asked Pablo about the ownership of the screens, Pablo responded by telling him that he need not worry and that he could make a good profit by selling the screens in Angola.’Then and there I knew that these items were stolen, but nevertheless I proceeded with the transaction,’ Kalombo stated.He admitted that he as a result received 13 stolen flat screens, valued at N$19 500.He was arrested later that day, after the Police had received a tip-off about the screens, Kalombo stated. He claimed he was ‘extremely sorry’ over what he did.Nambahu told the court that Kalombo is a teacher, the father of five children, and the sole breadwinner for his family. He co-operated with the Police and gave them information on the seller of the stolen goods after his arrest, Nambahu added.He suggested that Kalombo be sentenced to pay a fine of N$3 000.Public Prosecutor Phineas Nsundano suggested a sentence of two years’ imprisonment, of which he said six months could be suspended. The Magistrate remarked during the sentencing that a lot of Angolan citizens are currently appearing in his court on crimes involving dishonesty.The sort of crime that Kalombo pleaded guilty creates a market for other criminals, like housebreakers, robbers and thieves, he said.Namibian society is suffering under a wave of crimes involving dishonesty, and property that honest people are working for is stolen on a daily basis by criminals who then offer stolen goods at low cost to buyers like Kalombo, the Magistrate said.He told Kalombo that the fine suggested by Nambahu would not reflect the seriousness of the case. Because of the remorse Kalombo showed, the guilty plea he offered and the fact that he is said to be a first offender in Namibia, he had to be offered an opportunity of paying a fine, though, the Magistrate said.The cases of two other suspects who were arrested at the same time as Kalombo are still pending in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court. Those accused – an Angolan who is charged with receiving stolen property, and a Namibian charged with housebreaking with intent to steal and theft – must appear in court again on November 23.Another Angolan who was also arrested at the same time was sentenced to a one-year prison term with no option of paying a fine after he admitted guilt on a charge of receiving stolen property in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court in Katutura on October 9. Eight computer screens, valued at N$12 000, were involved in that case.