A Baptist Convention Church pastor identified as Emmanuel Lamba has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment in Balaka for stealing church items worth MK 4 Million.
In court, State Prosecutor Bodwin Msukwa said that Lamba who is 60 years old had stolen a 100 watts solar panel, one flash toilet, two wooden doors, twelve plastic chairs and other assorted electrical items.
Lamba had initially pleaded not guilty, a move which prompted the state to parade four witnesses who proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
Msukwa then asked the court after conviction to mete out a stiff punishment because the position Lamba hold requires moral uprightness.
In his judgement, First Grade Magistrate Philip Chibwana said the court had agreed to what the state submitted and ordered Lamba to pay a fine of MK100,000 or in default serve jail for 18 months.
He is yet to pay the fine.
Lamba hails from Mpinganjira Village in the Area of Traditional Authority Kachenga in Balaka district.
