Cellphone theft draws hefty punishment

MAGISTRATE Thomas Kanime issued a stern warning when he sentenced two young men for stealing cellphones recently.

Pandeni Daniel Nghihepa (21) and Lukas Nambahu (30), both from Oshakati, were told by Kanime that he would punish them severely if he found them in his court on the same charge again. Nghihepa stole a cellphone belonging to his friend and former classmate at Oshakati, valued at N$509.He was arrested the same day, and pleaded guilty.Magistrate Kanime sentenced him to N$5 000 or four years in jail, with N$3 000 or two years suspended for five years.Nambahu, a taxi driver, stole a cellphone valued at N$799 from a customer.He was sentenced to a fine of N$1 500 or one year’s imprisonment, of which N$500 or five months was suspended for five years.”I don’t want to hear of you young people stealing other people’s cellphones.If I find you guilty, I will punish you, with the aim to stop you committing such offences, ” Kanime said.Nghihepa stole a cellphone belonging to his friend and former classmate at Oshakati, valued at N$509.He was arrested the same day, and pleaded guilty.Magistrate Kanime sentenced him to N$5 000 or four years in jail, with N$3 000 or two years suspended for five years.Nambahu, a taxi driver, stole a cellphone valued at N$799 from a customer.He was sentenced to a fine of N$1 500 or one year’s imprisonment, of which N$500 or five months was suspended for five years.”I don’t want to hear of you young people stealing other people’s cellphones.If I find you guilty, I will punish you, with the aim to stop you committing such offences, ” Kanime said.